Trump administration dismantles CSRB, leaves future of cybersecurity oversight in question
The incoming administration of U.S. President Donald Trump has reportedly dismissed members of its advisory committees, including the Cyber Safety Review Board (CSRB), which is responsible for investigating significant cybersecurity incidents. This action is part of a broader effort by the Trump administration to reduce costs within the agency.
Details of an internal Jan. 20 memo from DHS Acting Secretary Benjamine Huffman emerged online.
The memo said, “In alignment with the Department of Homeland Security’s (DHS) commitment to eliminating the misuse of resources and ensuring that DHS activities prioritize our national security, I am directing the termination of all current memberships on advisory committees within DHS, effective immediately.”
It added that “Future committee activities will be focused solely on advancing our critical mission to protect the homeland and support DHS’s strategic priorities. To outgoing advisory board members, you are welcome to reapply, thank you for your service.”
The CSRB included several administration officials from the previous administration. It was created as part of former President Joe Biden’s 2021 cybersecurity executive order to ‘review and assess … significant cyber incidents’ impacting the federal executive branch of the US government. The future existence of the CSRB is unclear.
The CSRB was investigating a recent cyberattack by state-sponsored hackers from the People’s Republic of China, known as the Salt Typhoon hacks, which has been affected by the administration’s decision. The Chinese hackers infiltrated at least nine U.S. telecommunications companies in the last couple of months, including internet service providers, prompting considerations for federal response measures. They also targeted the communications of prominent political figures, including individuals associated with President Trump and Vice President JD Vance.
In a statement to Nextgov/FCW, Mark Green, a Republican from Tennessee and chairman of the House Committee on Homeland Security, noted that CSRB members were appointed by the previous CISA director and that “as with any new administration, President Trump is assembling his team.”
“Given the CSRB is tasked with investigating significant cyber intrusions — such as the Microsoft Exchange incident my committee examined last year — President Trump’s new DHS leadership should have the opportunity to decide the future of the Board,” he added. “This could include appointing new members, reviewing its structure, or deciding if the Board is the best way to examine cyber intrusions.”
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