Staff Contemplate Deferred Resignation and Payout Options as Deadline Approaches
The U.S. Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) is facing an atmosphere of uncertainty among its staff as a deadline looms for accepting a deferred resignation proposal from the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). According to multiple sources within the agency, leadership is reportedly planning extensive layoffs that could affect up to one-third of the agency’s workforce.
The DHS has mandated that all employees, including those at CISA, must decide by midnight on Monday whether to remain in their current roles or opt for a deferred resignation, early retirement, or a separation payout. This decision comes amidst concerns that a significant reduction in personnel could compromise the security of federal systems and critical infrastructure, increasing susceptibility to cyber threats and attacks.
Under the proposed reduction, CISA could lose around 1,300 personnel, which experts warn would significantly impair the federal government’s ability to manage cyber vulnerabilities across essential sectors, including water, energy, and transportation. Employees who spoke on condition of anonymity described the current climate as “chaotic” and “highly distressing,” with many contemplating transitions to the private sector amid a growing uncertainty regarding their future in public service.
“The unpredictability is overwhelming—without taking the payout, you could find yourself jobless in a matter of days,” one employee remarked to Information Security Media Group, emphasizing the challenges posed by such instability on their work performance.
An insider familiar with the planned reductions indicated that some divisions within CISA might be left critically under-resourced, hindering their capacity to support vital missions. This cutback exceeds those seen in previous layoffs, which predominantly affected CISA’s teams focused on election security and misinformation. In light of a federal court ruling reinstating certain laid-off employees, CISA has rehired approximately 130 individuals, only to place them on immediate administrative leave.
A spokesperson for CISA assured that the agency is dedicated to assisting its employees during this transition while continuing its core mission responsibilities. The agency’s statement highlighted that the deferred resignation initiative and associated options are intended to provide employees with flexibility and resources for making informed personal and professional decisions.
Industry experts have consistently alerted officials that substantial cuts to CISA’s funding and personnel could expose the nation’s critical infrastructure to severe cyber threats. Although the exact number of employees who have accepted the resignation or payout options remains undisclosed, records indicate that CISA had approximately 3,400 staff members prior to the Trump administration’s arrival.
