Jen Easterly sworn in as director of DHS cyber agency

Jen Easterly was sworn in Tuesday as director of the Department of Homeland Security’s Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA), one day after the Senate unanimously approved her nomination.

Easterly, who now leads the agency responsible for securing the nation’s critical infrastructure against cyberattacks, said in a statement following her swearing-in that she is “incredibly honored and humbled to join the team at CISA.”

“I have admired the agency from afar as the organization has grown over the past several years, and seen firsthand how its guidance, insight and resources can benefit public and private sector partners as part of our collective defense to build a more resilient nation,” Easterly said. “I thank President Biden for putting his faith in me to lead this organization, and the Senate for confirming me for this role.”

Easterly takes over leading the agency from Brandon Wales, who had served as acting director since November, when former President Trump fired former CISA Director Christopher Krebs after CISA pushed back against election disinformation and misinformation.