Trump slashes cybersecurity budget, fires 1,000 cyber defenders

The Trump administration proposed slashing the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) budget by $491 million in May 2025, eliminating over 1,000 positions and cutting nearly 30% of the workforce. The cuts target CISA's election security work, which Trump calls "censorship," while leaving critical infrastructure like power grids and water systems vulnerable to ransomware and nation-state attacks.

House appropriators from both parties have questioned the massive cuts to America's lead cyber defense agency.

Trump slashes cybersecurity budget, fires 1,000 cyber defenders

People, bills, and sources

Cost of a cyber data breach averaged $4.35 mln

Cost of a Data Breach Report 2024 - IBM Community

Security | IBM

Trump proposes major cut to CISA’s budget, citing false ‘censorship’ claims

Critical Infrastructure Protection: Key Private and Public Cyber Expectations Need to Be Consistently Addressed - U.S. GAO

Critical Infrastructure Protection: CISA Should Improve Priority Setting, Stakeholder Involvement, and Threat Information Sharing - U.S. GAO

Critical Infrastructure Protection: Agencies Need to Enhance Oversight of Ransomware Practices and Assess Federal Support - U.S. GAO