DHS Secretary Kristi Noem on Cyber Threats and SISA's Mission

Alarming Cyber Threats and Agency Briefings

• ⚠️ Kristi Noem found it alarming that the nation's top cybersecurity agency, SISA, was aware of threats like Volt Typhoon but didn't know how to stop them.
• 💡 She highlighted the potential for adversaries like the PRC to shut down critical infrastructure, comparing the threat to a pandemic.
• 🎯 SISA's mission is to hunt and harden cyber defenses, supporting state and local entities, and small to medium-sized businesses with cybersecurity.

President's Cyber Plan and Budget Concerns

• 🗓️ The release date for the President's cyber plan was stated as "shortly," with its timing being the president's prerogative.
• 💰 Despite growing cyber threats, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) is facing budget cuts of nearly half a billion dollars to agencies like SISA.
• 📉 This reduction in resources and personnel for SISA was questioned, especially in light of ongoing cyber threats and the need to "put SISA back on mission."

Congressional Mandate and SISA's Role

• 🏛️ Congress has designated SISA's mission, outlining how the department and SISA should execute it.
• ⚡ Moving funds away from SISA was noted as counterproductive to achieving its designated mission.