CISA appoints Karen Evans as the executive assistant for cybersecurity duties
Karen Evans, a seasoned Federal government IT and cybersecurity leader, has been appointed as the **executive assistant director for cybersecurity** at the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) within the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), effective early 2025 [1][2]. This move comes amidst a wave of job cuts at DHS, with over 400 positions eliminated, including more than 130 from CISA [1].
Evans' role at CISA is that of a key executive leader, tasked with reinforcing and refocusing the agency’s cybersecurity mission during a pivotal time. Her appointment reflects a commitment by DHS and CISA to leverage her extensive IT and cybersecurity expertise to bolster national cybersecurity defense [3].
Prior to joining CISA, Evans served as assistant secretary for cybersecurity, energy security, and emergency response at the Department of Energy. Before that, she was the managing director of the Cyber Readiness Institute. Her appointment is likely to reassure key stakeholders in the cybersecurity community [3].
While specific programs or initiatives led by Evans have not been detailed, her dual roles—executive assistant director for cybersecurity at CISA and involvement at DHS—position her to influence both agency operations and broader departmental cybersecurity strategic direction [3].
The cuts at DHS are estimated to save taxpayers approximately $50 million. A spokesperson for the Department of Homeland Security stated that the cuts aim to eliminate waste and incompetence that has been happening for decades at the expense of the American taxpayer [1].
CISA, which oversees election security, has faced criticism for its prior activities related to combating disinformation [4]. The agency has also faced calls for being split up, with the possibility of being moved into the Department of Transportation [4]. Eric Goldstein, a previous holder of the position, left CISA in June [4].
Despite these challenges, Evans' leadership coincides with calls from congressional Republicans and DHS leadership to ensure CISA returns to its “core mission,” implying a strategic emphasis on protecting critical infrastructure and improving resilience against cyberattacks [1]. Ari Schwartz, coordinator at the Center for Cybersecurity Policy and Law, believes Evans is well-positioned to help guide CISA's core cybersecurity efforts [4].
In summary, Karen Evans' role at CISA is that of a key executive leader charged with improving threat detection, infrastructure protection, and organizational effectiveness under the Department of Homeland Security umbrella [1][2][3]. Her appointment comes amidst a period of significant change at DHS, and her expertise is expected to play a crucial role in shaping the future of cybersecurity in the United States.
References: [1] https://www.nextgov.com/emerging-tech/2025/02/karen-evans-named-executive-assistant-director-cybersecurity-cisa-dhs/177859/ [2] https://www.fedscoop.com/dhs-names-karen-evans-executive-assistant-director-cybersecurity-cisa/ [3] https://www.cyberscoop.com/karen-evans-named-executive-assistant-director-cybersecurity-cisa/ [4] https://www.politico.com/news/2025/02/16/dhs-cuts-cisa-jobs-evans-appointment-419644
The appointment of Karen Evans as the executive assistant director for cybersecurity at CISA reflects a commitment by DHS to leverage technology and cybersecurity expertise to bolster national cybersecurity defense. Evans' role at CISA is that of a key executive leader, tasked with reinforcing and refocusing the agency’s cybersecurity mission, highlighting the importance of technology in cybersecurity endeavors.
