Departure of prominent CISA official contributes to agency's ongoing challenges
In a recent development, Matt Hartman, the deputy executive assistant director of the Cybersecurity Division at the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA), is set to leave the government at the end of the month. His departure comes amidst concerns about the ongoing loss of talent within the CISA, a trend that has been particularly pronounced during the Trump administration.
Hartman, who has been with the Department of Homeland Security since 2010, has overseen the day-to-day operations of CISA's largest and best-known division since February 2021. During his tenure, he was praised by Jeff Greene, who led the CISA's cyber division from mid-2024 until the end of the Biden administration, as an "extraordinary leader" for CISA. Greene believes that Hartman's leadership, insight, and guidance have shaped the team at CISA.
Bridget Bean, the acting CISA Director, also expressed her gratitude for Hartman's contributions, stating that his leadership has been instrumental in the agency's cybersecurity efforts. Ari Schwartz, the managing director of cybersecurity services at Venable, echoed these sentiments, describing Hartman as a "knowledgeable" and "thoughtful partner" in the public-private partnership.
Hartman's team is responsible for threat hunting on government networks, providing security services to other federal agencies, analyzing and reporting on new vulnerabilities, and managing the Joint Cyber Defense Collaborative. His departure, along with other recent exits, has raised concerns about the impact on CISA's operations and overall security.
Greene expressed his concern about the loss of talent in the CISA, stating that the division has lost a significant amount of it. He believes that if the remaining leaders in the CISA can hold onto the team that's still there, the division will continue to move forward. However, the ongoing departures, including Boyden Rohner, the head of the Integrated Operations Division at CISA, who announced plans to leave the government in April, are a cause for concern.
The exodus of key personnel from CISA dates back to the Trump administration, particularly in 2020 and 2021, when the agency experienced significant leadership and staff turnover amid political pressures and efforts to downplay election security risks. Notably, Chris Krebs, the director of CISA, was dismissed after publicly refuting election fraud claims. His departure, along with others, was seen as disrupting the agency's ability to effectively coordinate cybersecurity and election infrastructure protection, undermining its credibility and operational effectiveness.
In light of these developments, Greene warned that the losses in the CISA, including Hartman and others, will have an impact on overall security. The Trump administration's proposed Fiscal Year 2026 budget request for CISA would cut its funding by $491 million, further exacerbating these concerns. Inside the cyber agency, employees are demoralized, angry at their leadership, and worried about the continuity of critical services.
Despite these challenges, Hartman expressed gratitude to his colleagues and confidence in the continued strength of CISA and its cyber mission during his farewell meeting with staff. Chris Butera, the senior technical director at CISA, will assume Hartman's duties. As the cyber landscape continues to evolve, the agency's ability to adapt and maintain its focus on security will be crucial.
In the wake of Matt Hartman's forthcoming departure, concerns about the impact on Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) and its overall security have intensified, as his role in overseeing the agency's cybersecurity efforts has been significant. The continuing loss of talent within CISA, particularly during the Trump administration, has been a contentious issue, with Jeff Greene, a former CISA cyber division leader, warning that these losses could compromise the agency's privacy and cybersecurity, as well as its technology-driven operations.
