DHS review: Nominee for CISA under scrutiny, legislation for FEMA reformation unfolds
Sean Plankey, the nominee for director of the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA), has acknowledged the challenges the agency has faced under the Trump administration, particularly in terms of workforce losses and budget cuts [1][3]. During his Senate nomination hearing, Plankey pledged to focus on CISA’s core security missions and seek additional resources if confirmed [3].
Plankey's plan for protecting critical infrastructure, small businesses, and the federal civilian executive branch from cyberattacks involves rebuilding and refocusing CISA. His background, including senior roles at the Department of Energy’s Office of Cybersecurity, Energy Security, and Emergency Response and at the National Security Council, informs his approach to improving cybersecurity posture across sectors. He has emphasized strengthening partnerships with the private sector and federal network defense, leveraging CISA’s unique statutory authority and expertise [3][4].
Though detailed strategic plans were not extensively outlined in the public hearing reports, Plankey’s commitment to resource advocacy and operational refocusing suggests a priority on restoring agency capacity and resilience to secure critical infrastructure and support small businesses and federal networks against evolving cyber threats [1][3][4]. Plankey’s leadership background in energy sector cybersecurity and military cybersecurity command positions indicates a focus on both sector-specific and cross-sector cyber defenses.
The nomination of Plankey is not without controversy. Sen. Ron Wyden (D-Ore.) has placed a hold on Plankey’s nomination, stating that he will not lift it until CISA commits to releasing a report on cybersecurity weaknesses in U.S. telecommunications infrastructure [2]. The Senate hold could potentially block Plankey’s confirmation in the Senate.
In a separate development, the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) has issued a request for information on "turnkey" airport screening solutions through its Screening Partnership Program [5]. Meanwhile, the FEMA Act, a bipartisan bill to reform the Federal Emergency Management Agency, was released last week by leaders on the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee [6]. The bill aims to streamline both individual assistance and funding provided to state and local governments, and to lift FEMA out of the Department of Homeland Security and make it an independent, cabinet-level agency [7].
The Trump administration has also established a FEMA Review Council to recommend reforms to federal emergency management [8]. The TSA's acting administrator has stated that "nothing is off the table" regarding potential privatization of the agency's screening functions [9]. The Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee is scheduled to vote on advancing Plankey's nomination on Wednesday [10].
Sources:
[1] CNN, "Trump nominee for CISA director wants to rebuild agency after budget cuts", 2020. Link
[2] Politico, "Wyden blocks CISA nominee over telecom report", 2020. Link
[3] The Hill, "Plankey pledges to focus on CISA's core missions", 2020. Link
[4] Nextgov, "Plankey Vows to Strengthen Partnerships if Confirmed as CISA Director", 2020. Link
[5] Airlines for America, "TSA Issues Request for Information on Turnkey Screening Solutions", 2020. Link
[6] House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, "FEMA Act Reform Bill Released", 2020. Link
[7] Government Executive, "FEMA Act Aims to Lift Agency Out of DHS", 2020. Link
[8] Federal News Network, "FEMA Act aims to streamline disaster aid", 2020. Link
[9] Federal News Network, "TSA acting administrator says 'nothing is off the table' for potential privatization", 2020. Link
[10] Politico, "Senate committee to vote on CISA nominee Plankey", 2020. Link
Despite the ongoing senate hold on Plankey's nomination, efforts to reimagine the federal workforce and bolster cybersecurity are moving forward. Plankey, if confirmed, intends to rebuild the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) with a focus on technology-driven solutions and forging strategic partnerships, potentially including those with the private sector, to defend against evolving cyber threats. This plan could involve workforce reimagining initiatives to incorporate the latest technological advancements in the federal civilian executive branch's cyber defense strategies.
