CISA Announces Nicholas Andersen as New Executive Assistant Director for Cybersecurity

WASHINGTON – The Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) announced the appointment today of Nicholas Andersen as the Executive Assistant Director for Cybersecurity. A recognized national security and cybersecurity leader, Andersen will lead CISA’s cybersecurity mission, addressing the most significant cyber threats and vulnerabilities and increasing the security and resilience of U.S. critical infrastructure.

“I am pleased to welcome Nick Andersen to our CISA leadership team,” said Acting CISA Director Madhu Gottumukkala. “His broad experience across business, government, and technology uniquely positions him to strengthen our engagement with critical infrastructure partners, helping them better assess risk and elevate their security posture. I look forward to working with him as we advance our mission and safeguard the resilience of our nation during this pivotal time.”

“I am honored to have the opportunity to join CISA and the trust placed in me by President Donald Trump and Secretary Kristi Noem,” said Andersen. “Having led organizations in both the public and private sectors, I deeply appreciate the vital role a robust cyber defense agency plays in securing our nation’s critical infrastructure. My career has been dedicated to defending America, and I look forward to continuing that mission at CISA.”

Andersen has been on the frontlines of defending America's critical infrastructure, with a career grounded in safeguarding national sovereignty and countering foreign threats. His expertise spans cybersecurity strategy, risk management, and intelligence operations, including leadership roles in the first Trump administration, where he worked to secure and modernize cyber defenses across the energy sector.

A decorated U.S. Marine veteran and named as the Intelligence Executive of the Year and one of the top 10 CISOs to watch by Washington Executive Magazine, Andersen brings discipline and strategic foresight to the CISA team through his extensive experience. As the President and Chief Operating Officer at Invictus, Andersen oversaw cybersecurity, intelligence integration, and technology delivery for federal and commercial partners. In his role as the Chief Information Security Officer at Lumen Technologies Public Sector, he developed and implemented a comprehensive cybersecurity strategy, delivered secure offerings and formed strategic partnerships with public sector and private sector partners. From 2019-2021, Andersen served both as the Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary and performed the duties of Assistant Secretary for the Department of Energy’s Cybersecurity, Energy Security, and Emergency Response. In that role, he directed national efforts to protect America's energy sector from cyber and physical threats, led responses to Iranian cyber threats, Puerto Rican disaster recovery, and energy crises.

Andersen began at CISA on Tuesday, September 2, 2025. Chris Butera, who has been serving as Acting Executive Assistant Director for Cybersecurity, will assume the role of Acting Deputy Executive Assistant Director.

###

About CISA 

As the nation’s cyber defense agency and national coordinator for critical infrastructure security, the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency leads the national effort to understand, manage, and reduce risk to the digital and physical infrastructure Americans rely on every hour of every day.

Visit CISA.gov for more information and follow us on X, Facebook, LinkedIn, Instagram.