A few days ago I was re-familiarizing myself with Jen Easterly, Director of US Cyber Security.
She has a pristine resume and can not be messed with. (An ARMY colonel, fatigue wearing in photos, served in the Middle East and is a Rhodes scholar, and more.)
The geeks working there are restless. Comments range from very seldom to never seeing her, or any other leadership, to having to read online or in public media, what projects they are engaging.
The views are of her routine arrival at 7 AM, followed by a schedule of offsite appearances with troubled industries subject to cyber attacks or possible ones, building rapport everywhere, and occasional visits to Congress.
It is said there never has been a unified mission statement. The cyber division falls under the US Justice Department and shares its part of that budget.
Easterly independently raised a significant amount of money directly from Congress and reportedly Merick Garland was furious when he was informed of it, because she did not go through him first.
The upset wasn’t serious and Garland has publicly maintained only praise for Jen Easterly. (That resume of hers...)
The take away was that Cyber Security personnel is without direction, can not find well trained personnel and are basically understaffed for their capacity. The Division, however, has been “thrown money” since it was first stood up to much fanfare, and is housed in a handsome DC building.
What this even really indicates is arguable, but if accurate, the word “adrift” came to mind.
And, has she released a statement or has anyone asked her about the NOTAM “hack” yesterday?
What? It has been recategorized as a “crash”?
What? It has since been recategorized as a “glitch”?
Did anyone turn it off and turn it back on again?
“The IT Crowd” reference.