The US Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) has reiterated its commitment to protecting US critical infrastructure from all cyber threats, including those from Russia, under the Trump administration.
Recent reports have surfaced regarding a memo sent to CISA staff outlining new priorities for the agency, which included China but did not mention Russia. An anonymous source told The Guardian that CISA analysts were verbally instructed not to follow or report on Russian threats.
However, Department of Homeland Security (DHS) spokesperson Tricia McLaughlin denied that the directive came from the Trump administration, emphasizing that CISA remains dedicated to addressing all cyber threats, including those from Russia.
In a social media post on March 3, CISA emphasized that there has been no change in their posture and any contrary reporting is false and undermines national security.
Cybersecurity experts continue to highlight the ongoing threat posed by Russian state-sponsored cyber actors. Scott Small, Director of Cyber Threat Intelligence at Tidal Cyber, stressed the importance of organizations remaining vigilant against Russian adversaries’ diverse targeting patterns.
Meanwhile, news outlets reported that US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth directed US Cyber Command to halt preparations and operations targeting Russia, potentially impacting hundreds to thousands of personnel. This move could have significant implications for US cyber defense efforts, including support for Ukraine against Russian cyber-attacks.
Overall, the cybersecurity community emphasizes the importance of remaining vigilant against cyber threats, regardless of any changes in directives or priorities.