Cybersecurity experts warn that recent federal staffing cuts, particularly at CISA, are weakening US defenses against growing cyber threats.
Cyberattack risk? DOGE cuts may have left the US more vulnerable, experts warn
For months, cybersecurity experts have warned that cuts made by the US government could undermine its ability to defend against cyberattacks.
One such expert is Jonathan Kamens, who was let go in February from his leadership role overseeing cybersecurity for the Department of Veterans Affairs website. In March, Kamens spoke with TIME magazine and expressed concern that DOGE’s actions threatened the privacy of American citizens and made federal systems more vulnerable to bad actors.
On June 22, 2025, the Department of Homeland Security released a security bulletin warning that the “ongoing Iran conflict” has led to a ”heightened threat environment.” DHS believes that cyberattacks from “pro-Iranian hacktivists are likely, and cyber actors affiliated with the Iranian government may conduct attacks against US networks.” However, the federal workers hired to protect the public and the government from attacks of this nature have been targeted by ‘department of government efficiency’ and the administration’s larger effort to reduce the size of the federal workforce.
The dramatic workforce reductions at CISA
In February, 130 probationary employees at the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA), which operates under the Department of Homeland Security, were dismissed. This was only the beginning of the workforce reductions that would be seen at CISA over the coming months.
Among them was Kelly Shaw, who had recently joined the “CyberSentry” program in March 2024. Although Shaw had worked in the federal government for several years, her recent job change made her more vulnerable to termination than employees with more than two years at the agency. CBS News reported that about 4% of CISA’s workforce received similar notices, stating they were “not fit for continued employment because your ability, knowledge, and skills do not fit the agency’s current needs.”
In early June, Axios reported that around a third of CISA’s workforce had either been laid off or fired, including "virtually all of CISA’s senior officials," according to an internal memo obtained by the outlet.
The security landscape...
Security experts worry that these sweeping cuts leave the country’s cybersecurity infrastructure weakened. Remaining employees may be required to monitor a greater number of threats, and teams were reportedly given little time to determine which essential functions would be reassigned, potentially creating gaps that could be exploited.
Michael Daniel, president and CEO of the Cyber Threat Alliance, shared his concerns with Cybersecurity Dive.
“Reducing the federal government’s cybersecurity capabilities at a time when threats are increasing is not wise,” Daniel said. He added that whether the government is combating foreign intrusions, cybercrime, or fraud targeting businesses and individuals, “significant reductions at CISA will make the US more vulnerable and less safe.”
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