DHS Career Official Brandon Wales Named Acting CISA Director

After the widely-anticipated firing of Christopher Krebs as head of the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency, the White House has named DHS veteran Brandon Wales to serve in the position in an acting capacity. Wales has served with DHS for 15 years, most recently as CISA’s top career civil servant. He previously served as a senior cybersecurity advisor to then-DHS Secretary Kirstjen Nielsen, Wales.

It is unclear how long Wales will lead CISA in an acting capacity. After the White House fired Krebs, it reportedly also pressured CISA deputy director Matt Travis to resign. Bryan Ware, CISA’s assistant director for cybersecurity, was also reportedly forced out of his position. The most senior political appointee positions at CISA are currently vacant.