DHS Leadership Upheaval and Uncertainty Over CISA’s Direction
The Department of Homeland Security is undergoing a significant IT and cybersecurity leadership realignment, including the reported departures of DHS CISO Hemant Baidwan and Deputy CISO Amanda Day. The shakeup follows broader turbulence across DHS and CISA, including the reassignment of acting CISA Director Madhu Gottumukkala to a DHS headquarters role and the resignation of CISA CIO Bob Costello; Day has since moved to the private sector as VP of cybersecurity and trust at Workday.
Separately, President Donald Trump nominated Sen. Markwayne Mullin to lead DHS after firing Secretary Kristi Noem, a move that DHS and CISA personnel described as adding uncertainty to an agency already strained by workforce reductions, leadership instability, and operational impacts from a recent DHS shutdown. While Mullin has supported some cybersecurity-related legislation, employees cited ongoing concerns about CISA’s ability to stabilize without a permanent, Senate-confirmed leader; an unrelated report noted the IRS has launched a “thorough” cybersecurity review amid congressional scrutiny of taxpayer-data sharing and privacy compliance, but that issue is not part of the DHS/CISA leadership event.
Timeline
Mar 6, 2026
DHS CISO and deputy CISO are replaced
As part of the realignment, DHS moved to replace Chief Information Security Officer Hemant Baidwan and Deputy CISO Amanda Day, according to sources cited by FedScoop.
Mar 6, 2026
DHS begins major IT and cybersecurity leadership realignment
DHS launched a significant IT leadership overhaul led in part by CIO Antoine McCord, with plans that sources said could include moving headquarters personnel into component CIO roles and consolidating IT functions under the DHS CIO office.
Mar 6, 2026
Markwayne Mullin is nominated to lead DHS
The Trump administration nominated Sen. Markwayne Mullin to become DHS secretary after Noem's removal, prompting mixed reactions inside DHS and CISA about the department's future direction.
Mar 6, 2026
Trump announces Kristi Noem will leave DHS at end of March
President Trump announced that Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem would depart at the end of March, setting off a broader leadership transition across DHS.
Mar 1, 2026
FEMA IT staff are fired and acting CIO is installed
FEMA previously dismissed IT personnel and installed Zeke Maldonado as acting FEMA CIO, a move sources said fit a wider DHS effort to consolidate component IT functions under headquarters.
Feb 28, 2026
DHS CIO Bob Costello resigns
DHS Chief Information Officer Bob Costello resigned as part of broader upheaval in the department's technology leadership ranks.
Feb 20, 2026
Madhu Gottumukkala departs as acting CISA director
Former acting CISA Director Madhu Gottumukkala left the role after reported tensions, adding to leadership turnover at the agency.
Feb 15, 2026
Sean Plankey leaves Coast Guard advisory role amid Senate hold
CISA director nominee Sean Plankey departed an advisory role with the U.S. Coast Guard while his confirmation remained blocked by a Senate hold, prolonging uncertainty over CISA leadership.
Feb 1, 2026
DHS shutdown follows Minneapolis shootings and funding standoff
A DHS shutdown occurred after fatal shootings by immigration agents in Minneapolis triggered political fallout and a standoff over immigration reforms and DHS funding. The shutdown further destabilized DHS and CISA operations.
Jan 20, 2026
Trump returns to office with CISA lacking a Senate-confirmed leader
Since President Donald Trump returned to office, CISA has operated without a permanent Senate-confirmed director, contributing to prolonged leadership uncertainty at the agency.
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