CISA ransomware warning program proponent departs

Cybersecurity Dive reports that the operations of the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency's Pre-Ransomware Notification Initiative are in doubt following the exit of its lead staffer David Stern last week.

Multiple sources close to the matter disclosed that Stern chose to depart from CISA's PRNI instead of being reassigned at the Federal Emergency Management Agency under the orders of the Department of Homeland Security. While numerous staffers were reportedly being considered to take Stern's mantle, CISA PRNI was noted by a source to have been reliant on relationships formed by the former program lead, with another source stating that Stern's departure has worsened tensions between the agency and its partners.

"This program mostly relied on information from trust groups run by private-sector entities, and they are reassessing how they want to engage with CISA," said the source. Such a development comes amid ongoing workforce and leadership woes at CISA.