Andersen brings a breadth of experience across government and the private sector
The U.S. Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) has appointed Nicholas Andersen as its new executive assistant director for cybersecurity, a key role overseeing the protection of federal civilian systems and critical national infrastructure.
Andersen officially began in the position on Tuesday, stepping into a role marked by high turnover over the past year. His appointment follows a string of predecessors: Eric Goldstein, who served for nearly four years during the Biden administration, departed in summer 2024. He was briefly succeeded by Jeff Greene, before acting leadership was taken on by Karen Evans and later Chris Butera.
Andersen brings a breadth of experience across government and the private sector. From 2019 to 2021, he served at the U.S. Department of Energy in the Office of Cybersecurity, Energy Security, and Emergency Response. There, he held the role of principal deputy assistant secretary and performed the duties of assistant secretary, leading national efforts to secure critical energy systems.
Most recently, Andersen was president and chief operating officer at Invictus International Consulting, where he delivered advanced technological and analytical cybersecurity solutions for national defence needs.
He said he was “honoured to have the opportunity to join CISA,” expressing gratitude for the trust placed in him by the administration and emphasising his commitment to defending the nation’s critical infrastructure.
Acting CISA director Madhu Gottumukkala praised Andersen’s diverse background across private industry, government and technology, saying it “uniquely positions him to strengthen our engagement with critical infrastructure partners” and support the agency’s mission to safeguard national resilience.
Why this appointment matters
As cyber threats continue to escalate, steady leadership at CISA is more crucial than ever. Andersen’s experience across the public and private sectors, particularly in energy and infrastructure security, comes at a time when the agency must bolster coordination with state and local partners and enhance national cyber readiness strategies.
CISA, the Department of Homeland Security’s cybersecurity and infrastructure defence arm, plays a central role in shaping U.S. resilience against threats spanning everything from elections to energy systems and federal networks. With Andersen now in place, the agency signals a renewed focus on continuity and the strengthening of federal cyber defences.
