Eric Goldstein Cautions Against Potential Cuts to CISA’s Budget

Eric Goldstein, executive assistant director for cybersecurity at the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency, has warned that a significant budget cut would impair his organization’s ability to monitor federal network risks.

Testifying at a House Homeland Security cybersecurity and infrastructure protection subcommittee hearing, he added that malicious actors would “unequivocally exploit” gaps left by reduced threat visibility, CyberScoop reported Wednesday.

Goldstein pointed to a 25 percent reduction that Rep. Eric Swalwell, the subcommittee’s ranking member, said half of House Republicans voted for.

Rep. Carlos Gimenez, R-Fla, meanwhile, expressed doubt that CISA would be severely affected by budget cuts.

CISA Director Jen Easterly, a 2023 Wash100 winner, told House Appropriations Committee members earlier in 2023 that any cuts would negatively affect her organization’s work.

The White House’s fiscal year 2024 budget request would give CISA $3.1 billion, a $145 million increase from fiscal year 2023. Approximately $425 million of the funds are intended to improve the agency’s protection and analytics capabilities.