Eric Geller
@ericjgeller.com
Senior reporter at @CybersecurityDive.bsky.social covering all things digital security. I also co-host @hothtakes.bsky.social. | Send me tips: https://ericjgeller.com/contact.html
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Eric Geller
@ericjgeller.com
· 18d
New: My look at CISA's seven biggest challenges in 2026, from infrastructure protection and CIRCIA to election security and morale.
Experts said workforce cuts would hamper critical activities across the board. CISA said it's "sharpened its mission."
www.cybersecuritydive.com/news/cisa-7-...
Experts said workforce cuts would hamper critical activities across the board. CISA said it's "sharpened its mission."
www.cybersecuritydive.com/news/cisa-7-...
A person familiar with the matter confirms this story — Madhu Gottumukkala uploaded sensitive documents to public ChatGPT after demanding special permission to use the tool — and says CISA's description of when and how Gottumukkala last used ChatGPT is "just blatantly wrong."
CISA's acting director reportedly uploaded "sensitive contracting documents" to the public version of ChatGPT in violation of government rules, triggering a review. www.politico.com/news/2026/01...
The misstep, and the leak about it, are the latest signs that Madhu Gottumukkala is struggling.
The misstep, and the leak about it, are the latest signs that Madhu Gottumukkala is struggling.
Trump’s acting cyber chief uploaded sensitive files into a public version of ChatGPT
The interim director of the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency triggered an internal cybersecurity warning with the uploads — and a DHS-level damage assessment.
www.politico.com
January 27, 2026 at 9:57 PM
A person familiar with the matter confirms this story — Madhu Gottumukkala uploaded sensitive documents to public ChatGPT after demanding special permission to use the tool — and says CISA's description of when and how Gottumukkala last used ChatGPT is "just blatantly wrong."
CISA's acting director reportedly uploaded "sensitive contracting documents" to the public version of ChatGPT in violation of government rules, triggering a review. www.politico.com/news/2026/01...
The misstep, and the leak about it, are the latest signs that Madhu Gottumukkala is struggling.
The misstep, and the leak about it, are the latest signs that Madhu Gottumukkala is struggling.
Trump’s acting cyber chief uploaded sensitive files into a public version of ChatGPT
The interim director of the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency triggered an internal cybersecurity warning with the uploads — and a DHS-level damage assessment.
www.politico.com
January 27, 2026 at 9:30 PM
CISA's acting director reportedly uploaded "sensitive contracting documents" to the public version of ChatGPT in violation of government rules, triggering a review. www.politico.com/news/2026/01...
The misstep, and the leak about it, are the latest signs that Madhu Gottumukkala is struggling.
The misstep, and the leak about it, are the latest signs that Madhu Gottumukkala is struggling.
"The F.B.I. does not appear to be investigating the sequence of events, even as federal officials have rushed to portray the shootings as justified. The local police are the ones trying to make real inquiries." www.nytimes.com/2026/01/26/u...
Killings in Minneapolis Invert Usual Dynamic Over Policing the Police
It is far rarer and more difficult for state authorities to try to investigate federal law enforcement officials than the other way around.
www.nytimes.com
January 27, 2026 at 5:00 PM
"The F.B.I. does not appear to be investigating the sequence of events, even as federal officials have rushed to portray the shootings as justified. The local police are the ones trying to make real inquiries." www.nytimes.com/2026/01/26/u...
"It’s kind of like living in your own world and living in a second world at the same time...We drove through a snowstorm to get to our family’s house and celebrate dad’s birthday, and then we’re back to the television, watching America fall apart." www.nytimes.com/2026/01/27/u...
After Alex Pretti’s Killing, A Divided America Wonders What’s Next
Scenes from the violent unrest in Minneapolis played on a loop in many American households over the weekend, prompting reflection about where the nation is heading.
www.nytimes.com
January 27, 2026 at 4:30 PM
"It’s kind of like living in your own world and living in a second world at the same time...We drove through a snowstorm to get to our family’s house and celebrate dad’s birthday, and then we’re back to the television, watching America fall apart." www.nytimes.com/2026/01/27/u...
"[C]limate change encourages extreme weather events by altering the background conditions in the atmosphere. ... As the atmosphere warms, it becomes capable of holding more moisture, and that moisture can then fall dramatically in the form of rain, sleet or snow." www.nytimes.com/2026/01/26/w...
How Does Climate Change Affect Winter Storms?
A warmer atmosphere has the potential to hold more moisture, which can contribute to heavier precipitation in any season, scientists say.
www.nytimes.com
January 27, 2026 at 3:56 PM
"[C]limate change encourages extreme weather events by altering the background conditions in the atmosphere. ... As the atmosphere warms, it becomes capable of holding more moisture, and that moisture can then fall dramatically in the form of rain, sleet or snow." www.nytimes.com/2026/01/26/w...
I missed this on Friday, but OMB has rescinded Biden-era memos requiring agencies to get software security attestations from their suppliers: www.whitehouse.gov/wp-content/u...
January 26, 2026 at 3:03 PM
I missed this on Friday, but OMB has rescinded Biden-era memos requiring agencies to get software security attestations from their suppliers: www.whitehouse.gov/wp-content/u...
I know you've all been waiting for snow content of Poppy, so here she is playing with her golden retriever friend Millie. May these photos heal your soul. ♥️
January 25, 2026 at 11:06 PM
I know you've all been waiting for snow content of Poppy, so here she is playing with her golden retriever friend Millie. May these photos heal your soul. ♥️
"Still, Dr. Pesta and his fellow race researchers have reason for optimism. The pendulum of public policy, Dr. Pesta said, 'is swinging in terms of acceptance of even asking the questions.'" www.nytimes.com/2026/01/24/u...
January 25, 2026 at 8:30 PM
"Still, Dr. Pesta and his fellow race researchers have reason for optimism. The pendulum of public policy, Dr. Pesta said, 'is swinging in terms of acceptance of even asking the questions.'" www.nytimes.com/2026/01/24/u...
"What I saw, as federal agents stormed the city and residents banded together to protect themselves, was a dark, dystopian future becoming reality." www.nytimes.com/2026/01/25/m...
In Minneapolis, Trump Administration’s ICE Crackdown Shows the U.S. Unraveling
What I saw, as federal agents stormed the city and residents banded together to protect themselves, was a dark, dystopian future becoming reality.
www.nytimes.com
January 25, 2026 at 8:02 PM
"What I saw, as federal agents stormed the city and residents banded together to protect themselves, was a dark, dystopian future becoming reality." www.nytimes.com/2026/01/25/m...
"[A] Trump administration official confirmed Friday that the White House opposed mandating [ICE] body-cameras as one of 'many unserious poison pill demands' from Democrats in the budget bill." www.washingtonpost.com/immigration/...
Many ICE and Border Patrol officers still don’t wear body cameras
A string of violent incidents has added fresh urgency to calls for more body-worn cameras. But DHS proposed reducing spending on them in its initial budget proposal.
www.washingtonpost.com
January 24, 2026 at 10:39 PM
"[A] Trump administration official confirmed Friday that the White House opposed mandating [ICE] body-cameras as one of 'many unserious poison pill demands' from Democrats in the budget bill." www.washingtonpost.com/immigration/...
"She spoke to him calmly, telling him he was safe and that help was coming." www.startribune.com/detained-by-...
January 24, 2026 at 1:36 AM
"She spoke to him calmly, telling him he was safe and that help was coming." www.startribune.com/detained-by-...
Color me skeptical that saving taxpayer money is the real reason for this change that CISA only made after RSAC appointed a Biden official as its CEO.
BREAKING: CISA will no longer participate in RSAC Conference this year, a week after former Biden-era agency director Jen Easterly was named conference CEO:
www.nextgov.com/cybersecurit...
www.nextgov.com/cybersecurit...
CISA to cease participation at RSAC conference after Biden-era cyber leader named CEO
The decision, which has been in motion over the last week, highlights the Trump administration’s push to strictly control how current officials participate in industry events linked to former senior l...
www.nextgov.com
January 23, 2026 at 11:07 PM
Color me skeptical that saving taxpayer money is the real reason for this change that CISA only made after RSAC appointed a Biden official as its CEO.
Pursuant to a Trump EO directive (carried over from a Biden EO), CISA has published lists of hardware and software categories in which products (1) currently use or (2) should use quantum-resistant encryption algorithms. www.cisa.gov/resources-to...
January 23, 2026 at 9:47 PM
Pursuant to a Trump EO directive (carried over from a Biden EO), CISA has published lists of hardware and software categories in which products (1) currently use or (2) should use quantum-resistant encryption algorithms. www.cisa.gov/resources-to...
Yikes.
Exclusive: A cyberattack targeting Poland's energy infrastructure in December used wiper malware that would have erased grid computers and rendered them inoperable had it not been thwarted, a researcher at @ESET told me. The researcher calls the attack "unprecedented" for Poland and "substantial"
Cyberattack Targeting Poland’s Energy Grid Used a Wiper
A cyberattack that targeted power plants and other energy producers in Poland at the end of December used malware known as a “wiper” that was intended to erase computers and cause a power outage and o...
www.zetter-zeroday.com
January 23, 2026 at 6:39 PM
Yikes.
As new vulnerabilities flood NIST faster than it can analyze them, the agency is developing a triage process — and planning to cede the responsibility in the long term.
My report from NIST's Thursday briefing to an advisory board about a critical project: www.cybersecuritydive.com/news/nist-cv...
My report from NIST's Thursday briefing to an advisory board about a critical project: www.cybersecuritydive.com/news/nist-cv...
January 23, 2026 at 4:30 PM
As new vulnerabilities flood NIST faster than it can analyze them, the agency is developing a triage process — and planning to cede the responsibility in the long term.
My report from NIST's Thursday briefing to an advisory board about a critical project: www.cybersecuritydive.com/news/nist-cv...
My report from NIST's Thursday briefing to an advisory board about a critical project: www.cybersecuritydive.com/news/nist-cv...
Good @derekbjohnson.bsky.social story about how NIST is entering 2026 with a shrinking budget and more cybersecurity responsibilities than ever: cyberscoop.com/encryption-n...
January 23, 2026 at 4:00 PM
Good @derekbjohnson.bsky.social story about how NIST is entering 2026 with a shrinking budget and more cybersecurity responsibilities than ever: cyberscoop.com/encryption-n...
"His knowledge of Jewish history makes Trump’s renewed talk of annexing Greenland feel like a familiar pattern, one he knows how to read." forward.com/news/795826/...
Greenland’s only Jew hears a familiar pattern in Trump’s annexation talk
Paul Cohen, Greenland’s only Jew, explains how Jewish history shapes his response to Trump’s renewed talk of annexing the island.
forward.com
January 23, 2026 at 3:30 PM
"His knowledge of Jewish history makes Trump’s renewed talk of annexing Greenland feel like a familiar pattern, one he knows how to read." forward.com/news/795826/...
"Her skin appears to have been darkened." www.nytimes.com/2026/01/22/u...
White House Posts Altered Photo Showing Arrested Minnesota Protester Crying
The New York Times ran the image through an A.I. detection system and concluded that it showed signs of manipulation.
www.nytimes.com
January 23, 2026 at 3:17 PM
"Her skin appears to have been darkened." www.nytimes.com/2026/01/22/u...
The House Homeland Security Committee is holding an oversight hearing with three DHS component leaders, including acting CISA chief Madhu Gottumukkala. It's his first time testifying before Congress in his role. homeland.house.gov/hearing/over...
Oversight of the Department of Homeland Security: CISA, TSA, S&T – Committee on Homeland Security
DETAILS:
homeland.house.gov
January 21, 2026 at 3:07 PM
The House Homeland Security Committee is holding an oversight hearing with three DHS component leaders, including acting CISA chief Madhu Gottumukkala. It's his first time testifying before Congress in his role. homeland.house.gov/hearing/over...
It's notable that the GOP spending bill requires (and earmarks funding for) CISA to restart its election security program, resume funding the EI-ISAC, and refill critical roles in cyber defense, partnerships, and local support. docs.house.gov/billsthiswee... docs.house.gov/billsthiswee...
January 21, 2026 at 12:00 AM
It's notable that the GOP spending bill requires (and earmarks funding for) CISA to restart its election security program, resume funding the EI-ISAC, and refill critical roles in cyber defense, partnerships, and local support. docs.house.gov/billsthiswee... docs.house.gov/billsthiswee...
Interesting tidbit in the federal funding bill: A sliver of CISA's budget will come from zeroing out the $100 million Cyber Response and Recovery Fund created by Biden's infrastructure law. CRRF was meant to help US prepare for widespread digital disaster. docs.house.gov/billsthiswee...
January 20, 2026 at 11:30 PM
Interesting tidbit in the federal funding bill: A sliver of CISA's budget will come from zeroing out the $100 million Cyber Response and Recovery Fund created by Biden's infrastructure law. CRRF was meant to help US prepare for widespread digital disaster. docs.house.gov/billsthiswee...
"It is believed to be the first time in a century that the Canadian Armed Forces have created a model of an American assault on this country, a founding member of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization and a partner with the U.S. in continental air defence." www.theglobeandmail.com/politics/art...
Military models Canadian response to hypothetical American invasion
Armed Forces envision insurgency tactics like those used by Afghan mujahedeen, sources say. But officials and experts stress a U.S. operation is unlikely, and the scenarios are conceptual
www.theglobeandmail.com
January 20, 2026 at 11:00 PM
"It is believed to be the first time in a century that the Canadian Armed Forces have created a model of an American assault on this country, a founding member of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization and a partner with the U.S. in continental air defence." www.theglobeandmail.com/politics/art...
The latest example of CISA getting caught up in apparent Trump administration favoritism: Agency employees are being pressured to vouch for the importance of setting up a SCIF at a university in South Dakota aligned w/ DHS Sec (and former SD governor) Kristi Noem. www.politico.com/news/2026/01...
January 20, 2026 at 10:30 PM
The latest example of CISA getting caught up in apparent Trump administration favoritism: Agency employees are being pressured to vouch for the importance of setting up a SCIF at a university in South Dakota aligned w/ DHS Sec (and former SD governor) Kristi Noem. www.politico.com/news/2026/01...
I can confirm @jsaks.bsky.social's scoop that DHS/CISA tried to reassign CISA's CIO (to Federal Law Enforcement Training Centers HQ in GA), although one source says it's unclear if the move originated with CISA's acting director or with DHS HQ. www.politico.com/news/2026/01...
Acting CISA chief sought ouster of agency’s chief information officer
Other senior political appointees at the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency were not happy about the move — and they ultimately helped undo it.
www.politico.com
January 20, 2026 at 10:15 PM
I can confirm @jsaks.bsky.social's scoop that DHS/CISA tried to reassign CISA's CIO (to Federal Law Enforcement Training Centers HQ in GA), although one source says it's unclear if the move originated with CISA's acting director or with DHS HQ. www.politico.com/news/2026/01...
The "minibus" appropriations bill (extending government funding past 1/30) reauthorizes CISA 2015 info-sharing law, state and local cyber grant program, NCPS intrusion detection system, and Technology Modernization Fund through 9/30. docs.house.gov/billsthiswee... (h/t @ddimolfetta.bsky.social)
January 20, 2026 at 2:54 PM
The "minibus" appropriations bill (extending government funding past 1/30) reauthorizes CISA 2015 info-sharing law, state and local cyber grant program, NCPS intrusion detection system, and Technology Modernization Fund through 9/30. docs.house.gov/billsthiswee... (h/t @ddimolfetta.bsky.social)