On Tuesday, a day after Donald Trump was sworn in as President of the United States, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) notified members of several advisory committees that their memberships had been terminated effective immediately.
Among the affected groups is the Cybersecurity Review Board (CSRB), composed of cybersecurity experts from both the private sector and the government.
A former member of the CSRB, who requested anonymity, criticized the decision. “Dismantling all DHS advisory committees without assessing the impact is an incredibly shortsighted move,” they said. They also warned of the risks of halting the CSRB’s investigations, particularly during a time of cyberattacks targeting critical infrastructure allegedly orchestrated by the Chinese government. “This shows that this administration does not consider it a priority,” they added.
The CSRB had been conducting a review of recent security breaches that impacted telecommunications companies in the United States, reportedly carried out by state-sponsored hackers linked to China.
In response to the action, the DHS issued a statement through a senior anonymous official, stating that “effective immediately, all advisory committees that do not directly contribute to the mission of national security, the President’s agenda, or the protection of constitutional rights will be disbanded.”
A letter sent to CSRB members further explained that the decision aimed to optimize resources and align DHS activities with its strategic priorities. However, a source close to the matter questioned the explanation of “resource misuse,” pointing out that committee members received no compensation for their work.
Katie Moussouris, a well-known cybersecurity expert and former CSRB member, emphasized that government advisors should be selected based on their expertise and skills, not political criteria. “I hope these critical positions are filled by highly qualified individuals without delay,” she said.
The CSRB had also investigated a series of cyberattacks, including the breach of government email systems provided by Microsoft, attributed to Chinese state-sponsored hackers. The previous March, the board had released a report on the incident, which was widely praised within the cybersecurity community.
In addition to the CSRB, this measure affects other DHS committees specializing in artificial intelligence, telecommunications, science and technology, and emergency preparedness.
By: Nestor Castillo, ForAllTechNews Director