The Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA), under the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), has recently experienced a notable policy reversal. Initially exempted from the federal government’s deferred resignation program due to national security considerations, CISA employees are now authorized to participate in this initiative.

This change aligns with the broader efforts of the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) to streamline federal operations and reduce workforce numbers.

The deferred resignation program offers federal employees the option to resign while continuing to receive their salary and benefits until September 30, 2025. This approach, inspired by strategies employed in the private sector, aims to provide a transitional period for employees as agencies undergo restructuring. The inclusion of CISA in this program marks a significant development, given the agency’s pivotal role in national cybersecurity.

Why It Matters: The decision to allow CISA employees to participate in the deferred resignation program underscores the administration’s commitment to applying uniform restructuring policies across federal agencies, including those integral to national security.

• Initial Exemption and Subsequent Inclusion: Initially, CISA, along with other DHS bureaus, was exempted from the deferred resignation program due to national security concerns. However, a recent policy reversal now permits CISA employees to participate in the program, reflecting a shift in the administration’s approach to workforce restructuring within critical agencies.

• Program Details and Employee Options: The deferred resignation program offers federal employees the opportunity to resign while continuing to receive their salary and benefits until September 30, 2025. Employees who choose to remain in their positions are informed that their roles cannot be guaranteed in the future, highlighting the administration’s intent to streamline operations.

• Leadership’s Communication to Staff: Acting CISA Director Bridget Bean communicated the policy change to staff via email, acknowledging the personal nature of the decision and expressing support for employees regardless of their choice.

• Alignment with DOGE’s Federal Overhaul: This initiative is part of DOGE‘s broader strategy to streamline federal operations, reduce workforce numbers, and cut costs across various government agencies. The inclusion of CISA employees in the deferred resignation program reflects the administration’s commitment to applying its restructuring policies uniformly, even within agencies critical to national security.

• Impact on CISA’s Operations: The reduction in staff through deferred resignations may affect CISA’s capacity to manage cybersecurity initiatives and protect critical infrastructure. However, the program also provides an opportunity for the agency to reassess and potentially enhance its operational strategies, ensuring that resources are allocated effectively to maintain national security efforts.

Go Deeper -> In reversal, CISA workforce now permitted to take deferred resignation offer – NextGov

CISA staffers offered deferred resignations, extending broader cybersecurity fears – NPR