The U.S. Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) is facing a period of transition as Jen Easterly, the outgoing head, expressed hopes for the agency to continue its election-related work under new leadership. Despite some contentiousness surrounding this aspect of its mission, Easterly emphasized the importance of supporting state and local election officials, citing the benefits derived from the resources provided by CISA.
Established in 2018 under the first Trump administration, CISA's primary responsibility is safeguarding critical infrastructure such as dams, banks, and nuclear power plants. Following the 2016 election and Russia's election-meddling efforts, voting systems were included in CISA's purview.
However, with the impending transition to a new administration, there have been calls from some Republican lawmakers and right-wing groups to either close down CISA, reduce its election-related duties, or curtail its powers. Senator Rand Paul of Kentucky has been a vocal critic, advocating for the agency's elimination or a limitation of its authority.
Easterly commended CISA's efforts in building trust and close communication with state and local election officials from both major political parties. She highlighted the agency's successful collaboration with the intelligence community in analyzing and declassifying foreign influence campaigns from Russia, China, and Iran ahead of the 2024 presidential election.
Concerns about foreign interference in elections persist, with Easterly warning of escalating threats from adversaries and the need to anticipate and address them effectively. Notably, CISA's role in countering foreign disinformation during the 2020 election was crucial, including addressing staged videos from Russian actors depicting election fraud.
While the agency awaits new leadership following Easterly's departure, the future of CISA's election-related work remains uncertain. Former President Trump, who established CISA but dismissed its director after the 2020 election, has not outlined his plans for the agency's election responsibilities.
Additionally, Easterly raised concerns about China's growing threat to critical infrastructure in the U.S., emphasizing the need to prepare for potential disruptions in sectors like water, transportation, and telecommunications due to Chinese infiltration.
