CISA replaces acting director after a bumbling year on the job

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Published Friday, June 26, 2026 · 9:55 PM EDT

The U.S. Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency has replaced its acting director. Madhu Gottumukkala served as the agency's top boss for a tumultuous year. The move comes after reports of difficulties in his leadership. A CISA spokesperson told TechCrunch that Nick Andersen will replace Gottumukkala as the new acting director. Andersen previously served as the agency's top official overseeing its cybersecurity division. Gottumukkala has been moved to a new position as director of strategic implementation in the Department of Homeland Security. The spokesperson claimed Gottumukkala had done a remarkable job. Reports indicated that Gottumukkala struggled to lead the agency and caused security headaches, including the uploading of sensitive government documents to ChatGPT. Gottumukkala also reportedly failed a counterintelligence polygraph he took in order to view classified documents and suspended several career officials in response, including the agency's then chief security officer. Staffing at the agency was slashed by one third. ABC News first reported Gottumukkala's departure.

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