President Donald Trump has officially nominated Sean Plankey to serve as the new Director of the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA), according to a White House announcement on Tuesday.
Plankey brings extensive cybersecurity and national security experience, having served in various U.S. government roles. His background includes:
✅ Cybersecurity support for U.S. forces in Afghanistan (2013)
✅ Work at U.S. Cyber Command, the U.S. Coast Guard, and the U.S. Navy
✅ Cyber policy director at the White House’s National Security Council
✅ Department of Energy cybersecurity leadership
If confirmed by the Senate, Plankey will be responsible for protecting U.S. critical infrastructure from cyber threats, strengthening national security, and ensuring election security amid rising global cyber risks.
CISA was previously led by Jen Easterly, who departed in January. Notably, during his first term, Trump fired CISA’s first director, Chris Krebs, after Krebs refuted Trump’s election fraud claims.
President Donald Trump has officially nominated Sean Plankey to lead the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA), marking a significant step in his administration’s approach to cyber defense and national security. The announcement was made via a White House email to journalists on Tuesday, signaling the administration’s focus on strengthening the nation’s cybersecurity posture against increasing threats.
Who is Sean Plankey? His Cybersecurity Expertise and Government Roles
Sean Plankey brings a wealth of cybersecurity and national security experience, having held key positions across multiple government agencies. His expertise in cyber operations, policy development, and infrastructure protection makes him a critical figure in bolstering U.S. cybersecurity efforts.
Here’s a snapshot of Plankey’s career:
- 2013: Provided cybersecurity support to U.S. forces deployed in Afghanistan.
- U.S. Cyber Command, U.S. Coast Guard, and U.S. Navy: Led cyber defense initiatives and strengthened national security measures.
- Trump Administration (First Term): Served as Director for Cyber Policy on the White House National Security Council.
- Department of Energy: Played a key role in protecting critical energy infrastructure from cyber threats.
The Role of CISA and What Plankey’s Nomination Means for U.S. Cybersecurity
The Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) is the frontline defense against cyber threats targeting U.S. critical infrastructure, elections, and government networks. Plankey’s nomination comes at a critical time when cyberattacks from nation-state actors, ransomware groups, and malicious hackers are on the rise.
If confirmed by the Senate, Plankey will be responsible for: ✅ Protecting U.S. critical infrastructure (power grids, financial systems, telecommunications, etc.) ✅ Enhancing cybersecurity for elections to safeguard democracy ✅ Mitigating ransomware and cyberattacks from hostile actors ✅ Strengthening public-private partnerships for better cyber resilience ✅ Implementing cutting-edge cybersecurity strategies to counter evolving threats
CISA Leadership Changes Under Trump
Plankey’s nomination follows the departure of Jen Easterly, who stepped down in January 2025. Notably, Trump’s history with CISA leadership has been controversial. During his first term, he fired CISA’s inaugural director, Chris Krebs, after Krebs disputed Trump’s claims of election fraud in 2020.
Senate Confirmation: What’s Next for Plankey?“Sean Plankey”
Plankey’s nomination now moves to the U.S. Senate for confirmation, where his experience, cybersecurity policies, and leadership vision will be scrutinized. A formal vote date has not yet been announced, but his confirmation process is expected to draw significant attention, especially given the geopolitical cyber threats facing the U.S. today.Sean Plankey
