Sean Plankey Archives

Sean Cairncross, as CEO of the Millenium Challenge Corporation, speaks onstage during the 2019 Concordia Annual Summit in New York City. (Photo by Riccardo Savi/Getty Images for Concordia Summit)

Senate confirms national cyber director pick Sean Cairncross

The president selected the former RNC, White House and Millennium Challenge Corporation official for the job in February.

Aug 3, 2025 By Tim Starks

U.S. Senator Ron Wyden speaks at the rally to Say NO to Tax Breaks for Billionaires & Corporations at the U.S. Capitol on April 10, 2025. (Photo by Jemal Countess/Getty Images for Fair Share America)

CISA says it will release telecom security report sought by Sen. Wyden to lift hold on Plankey nomination

The Oregon Democrat has vowed to place a hold on the nomination to lead the agency until CISA releases the report.

Jul 29, 2025 By Tim Starks

Sean Plankey, of Pennsylvania, responds to questioning during Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs hearings to examine his nomination to be Director of the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency, of the Department of Homeland Security, in the Dirksen Senate office building, in Washington, DC, on Wednesday July 24, 2025. (Mattie Neretin/CNP/Sipa USA)

Plankey vows to boot China from U.S. supply chain, advocate for CISA budget

But Trump’s pick to lead CISA sidestepped questions about alleged past or future election manipulation claims.

Jul 24, 2025 By Tim Starks

David Weinberg, staff director for Democrats on the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee, speaks during the FedScoop-produced Elastic Public Sector Summit in Washington, D.C., on March 19, 2025. (EPNAC / Photos by Sergey Kolupaev)

Congress should re-up 2015 information-sharing law, top Hill staffer says

Lawmakers also need to take action on legislation to better harmonize federal cybersecurity regulations, Democrats’ staff director on a key Senate committee said.

Mar 19, 2025 By Tim Starks

Sean Plankey picked by Trump to be CISA director

Plankey’s nomination fills the biggest remaining gap among cyber leaders in the second Trump administration.

Mar 11, 2025 By Tim Starks

Former U.S. President Donald Trump during the National Guard Association of the United States’ 146th General Conference & Exhibition at Huntington Place Convention Center on Aug. 26 in Detroit, Michigan. (Photo by Emily Elconin/Getty Images)

Who would be the cyber pros in a second Trump term?

If elected again, the former president might draw both on returning officials and yet-untapped pockets of talent.

Sep 3, 2024 By Tim Starks

Energy official eyed for senior CISA position after White House throws agency into turmoil

The Trump administration in October signaled its intent to appoint Sean Plankey to CISA.

Nov 19, 2020 By Sean Lyngaas