CISA names cyber policy vet to lead infrastructure security division
Steve Casapulla has served at CISA for more than a decade and also led critical infrastructure efforts at the Office of the National Cyber Director.
A longtime federal official is now leading the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency’s infrastructure security division.
CISA announced Tuesday that Steve Casapulla has been appointed executive assistant director for infrastructure security. Casapulla had been serving as interim assistant director for the National Risk Management Center and acting chief strategy officer.
He previously served as director for critical infrastructure cybersecurity in the Office of the National Cyber Director. Casapulla had also spent 13 years at CISA and its predecessor, the Department of Homeland Security’s National Protection and Programs Directorate.
“I’m honored to take on this critical role at CISA and deeply appreciate the trust placed in me by President [Donald] Trump and Secretary [Kristi] Noem,” Casapulla said in a statement. “I am committed to advancing CISA’s mission and ensuring the security and resilience of our nation’s critical infrastructure and the American people.”
As head of the infrastructure security division, Casapulla will oversee CISA’s efforts to manage risks across 16 critical infrastructure sectors. His office will likely work with CISA’s cybersecurity division on efforts to address cyber threats to critical infrastructure, particularly the China-based threats groups “Salt Typhoon” and “Volt Typhoon.”
“I am pleased to have Steve expand his role on CISA’s leadership team,” Acting CISA Director Madhu Gottumukkala said in a statement. “With his extensive experience in critical infrastructure security and working with stakeholders, he is perfectly poised to lead our efforts in securing the nation’s critical infrastructure. I look forward to working with him on this important mission.”
Casapulla’s division also oversees the National Risk Management Center, which analyzes interconnections and dependencies between different critical infrastructure organizations and sectors.
The National Risk Management Center is among CISA efforts in line for staffing cuts under the Trump administration’s fiscal 2026 budget request. CISA is also planning to cut 35 positions and $70 million in funding from the National Risk Management Center by “eliminating initiative planning and coordination efforts,” the documents show.
Casapulla’s appointment comes as the Trump administration slowly fills out the leadership ranks at CISA after a wave of staff departures in the spring.
Earlier this month, Nick Andersen was appointed executive assistant director for cybersecurity, while Brian Bonacci was appointed CISA chief of staff in late August. Gottumukkala was appointed deputy director and has been serving as acting director since May.
Meanwhile, the Senate has yet to vote on Sean Plankey’s nomination as CISA director. Sen. Ron Wyden (D-Ore.) had placed his nomination on hold until CISA commits to publicly releasing a report on security gaps in the telecommunications sector.
Copyright
© 2025 Federal News Network. All rights reserved. This website is not intended for users located within the European Economic Area.
link