Karen Evans, a seasoned federal technology leader with extensive cybersecurity experience, has been appointed as the new executive assistant director for cybersecurity at the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA). The appointment places Evans in one of the federal government’s most crucial cyber leadership positions, previously held by Jeff Greene and Eric Goldstein.
In her new role, Evans will spearhead CISA’s mission to protect federal civilian agencies and critical infrastructure from cyber threats. This responsibility has become increasingly vital as the agency continues to address sophisticated threats, such as the recent Salt Typhoon attacks attributed to Chinese state-backed actors.
Evans brings decades of relevant experience to the position, having served as the chief information officer at the Department of Homeland Security from June 2020 to January 2021. Her previous roles include assistant secretary for cybersecurity, energy security, and emergency response at the Department of Energy (2018-2020) and administrator for the Office of Electronic Government and Information Technology at the Office of Management and Budget during the George W. Bush administration.
The appointment comes at a critical time for federal cybersecurity initiatives. In late 2024, CISA implemented new cloud security standards for federal agencies, demonstrating the agency’s commitment to strengthening digital infrastructure protection. Evans will be responsible for overseeing these initiatives while also managing CISA’s expanding relationships with private sector partners, which have become increasingly important for comprehensive cybersecurity defense.
The leadership transition occurs during a period of significant change at CISA. The agency currently awaits President Trump’s selection of an overall leader, with Sean Plankey reportedly being considered for the Senate-confirmed position. Additionally, DHS Secretary Kristi Noem has advocated for a more focused CISA mission, particularly regarding the agency’s involvement in misinformation and disinformation efforts.
Evans’ appointment is part of a broader cybersecurity leadership realignment within the administration, which includes Sean Cairncross’s nomination as national cyber director and Alexei Bulazel’s selection as senior director for cyber at the National Security Council. She initially joined CISA as a senior advisor for cybersecurity in early February 2025 before assuming her current executive role.
Sources: NextGov, CyberScoop
—
February 27, 2025 – by Cass Kennedy
