Nick Andersen has been appointed as the acting director of the United States’ Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA).
Andersen, who previously held the position of executive assistant director for cybersecurity at CISA, is stepping in to replace Madhu Gottumukkala. Gottumukkala has been with the agency since May 2025, serving as its deputy director.
Gottumukkala is departing to take on the role of director of strategic implementation at the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), which oversees CISA. His exit follows reports concerning a failed polygraph test and the uploading of sensitive government information into a public version of ChatGPT.
Andersen brings a wealth of experience from both the public and private sectors. He has previously served as president and chief operating officer at the cybersecurity and national security firm Invictus, as well as Chief Information Security Officer at the public-sector arm of Lumen Technologies.
His government experience is extensive, having held leadership roles at the Department of Energy, the White House, the Coast Guard, the Navy, and the State of Vermont.
CISA has been without a permanent director during the second Trump administration. Sean Plankey, who has held key cyber roles at both the Energy Department and the White House, was nominated by the Trump administration to lead CISA. However, his nomination was blocked last year, and he was renominated in January 2026.
Recently, it was reported that CISA’s Chief Information Officer, Bob Costello, and acting chief human capital officer, Kevin Diana, have been given the choice to take on new roles within the DHS or resign.
For ongoing updates regarding key personnel changes in the cybersecurity sector, readers are encouraged to stay informed through various industry sources.
