Senate delay leaves CISA without confirmed leader

The Senate has failed to confirm Sean Plankey as the leader of the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency ahead of the Christmas holiday, extending a leadership gap at the federal government's primary cyberdefense agency, Nextgov/FCW reports.

Plankey's nomination stalled amid procedural delays and objections from both parties and will need to be renewed if the White House chooses to proceed. The outcome leaves CISA without a Senate-confirmed director nearly a year into President Donald Trump's second term. Plankey previously served as a cybersecurity official at the Energy Department during Trump's first administration.

The leadership uncertainty comes as CISA faces major workforce reductions. About one-third of the agency's staff departed in 2025 through firings and early retirement offers tied to broader federal spending cuts. Former officials have warned that the losses could weaken CISA's ability to defend federal networks and coordinate across government.

The situation also coincides with preparations for a new national cybersecurity strategy, expected to emphasize quantum-resistant security, an area where CISA is likely to play a key role once permanent leadership is established.