Doge Axes CISA 'Red Team' Staffers Amid Federal Cuts

Recent Layoffs at CISA Following DOGE Intervention

Over one hundred employees associated with the U.S. government’s cybersecurity agency, CISA, have been terminated by Elon Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE). This information was shared with TechCrunch by two individuals directly impacted by these workforce reductions.

Abrupt Termination of Employment

According to sources who requested anonymity, the affected personnel experienced immediate removal from the network, with no prior notification of impending layoffs. This sudden access revocation signaled their dismissal.

Ongoing Staff Reductions at CISA

These recent cuts represent a continuation of staff reductions within the federal cybersecurity agency, a trend that began during the previous administration under President Trump. The layoffs occurred throughout late February and early March.

CISA’s Response and Contract Review

Tess Hyre, a spokesperson for CISA, refrained from commenting specifically on the latest round of job cuts. However, she affirmed that CISA’s red team remains functional. Hyre also stated the agency is currently evaluating all existing contracts to ensure alignment with the current administration’s objectives.

Impact on Critical Security Teams

One source revealed that employees of the CISA red team – responsible for simulating attacks to proactively identify network vulnerabilities – were among those affected by the DOGE-initiated cuts.

Cyber Incident Response Team Also Affected

Another individual, seeking anonymity due to concerns about potential government repercussions, indicated that staff from CISA’s Cyber Incident Response Team (CIRT) were also laid off. The CIRT handles penetration testing and vulnerability management for U.S. federal networks.

Uncertainty Regarding System Security

The future security status of the government systems previously supported by these employees remains unclear. One source stated they have no information regarding the fate of those systems.

Significant Number of Employees Terminated

The total number of employees impacted is substantial. More than 80 individuals supporting continuous monitoring programs were terminated, alongside an estimated 30 to 50 employees involved in incident response.

Seeking “DOGE-Resistant” Opportunities

One former employee shared with TechCrunch their current job search is focused on finding positions that are not vulnerable to further DOGE-related cuts. They described DOGE as “a ballistic missile with no guidance system.”

Third Round of CISA Layoffs This Year

This marks the third documented instance of job cuts affecting CISA employees since January 20. Earlier in February, reports indicated that over 130 CISA employees were cut by DOGE. Furthermore, several CISA personnel working on election security were placed on administrative leave in January.