South Dakota CIO to become deputy director at CISA

Madhu Gottumukkala, South Dakota’s chief information officer, will soon take up the role of deputy director in the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency, a move that brings another top South Dakota official into the Department of Homeland Security following then-governor Kristi Noem’s ascension to DHS Secretary. 

Gottumukkala, who also held a dual role as the state’s commissioner of the Bureau of Information and Telecommunication, will remain at his current post until May 16, according to a Thursday notice posted to Gov. Larry Rhoden’s website.

“Serving the people of South Dakota as State Chief Information Officer and Commissioner of BIT has been one of the greatest honors of my career. I’m deeply grateful to Governor Rhoden for his leadership and trust,” Gottumukkala said. 

“As I step into this new role at the Department of Homeland Security, I carry with me the values of innovation, resilience, and service that define our state,” he added. “I look forward to continuing to protect and strengthen the nation’s digital and physical infrastructure at a time when it matters most.”

The last deputy director at CISA, Nitin Natarajan, served under then-President Joe Biden from February 2021 until his departure in January alongside former director Jen Easterly.

A hold by Sen. Ron Wyden, D-Ore., is delaying the confirmation process for Sean Plankey, President Donald Trump’s nominee for CISA’s director. Wyden is demanding the public release of a 2022 agency report on cybersecurity exposures in the telecommunications sector.