Twitter whistleblower joining Biden administration

A famed hacker and former Twitter employee who alleged widespread security deficiencies at the company is joining the Biden administration via a job with the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA). 

The whistleblower, Peiter “Mudge” Zatko, will be joining in a part-time position at the agency, CISA announced Tuesday. The news was first reported by The Washington Post

CISA Director Jen Easterly said in a statement she is excited to have the “legendary security researcher, CISO, and visionary,” of Zatko join the team to help CISA carry out its plans to urge a “fundamental cultural shift” that places cybersecurity accountability with technology vendors rather than customers. 

“I’m thrilled to announce that Peiter ‘Mudge’ Zatko has joined team CISA! Mudge joins us in a part-time capacity to help us collaboratively shape a culture of security by design that is foundational to every security team, every C-suite, and every board room in the country,”  CISA Director Jen Easterly said in a statement. 

Zatko said he is “honored to formally return to public service and work with CISA.” 

“Cybersecurity has been the mechanism through which I have had impact. Through this I have devoted my life to moving the field forward by way of transparency, education, and innovation. I have endeavored to do this irrespective of being in the public sector, private sector, non-profit, through technical contributions, or in executive and leadership positions. I look forward to continuing my mission to serve everyone the best I can,” Zatko said in a statement. 

Last year, Zatko released a complaint alleging Twitter, now known as X, has major security deficiencies and did not comply with a 2011 consent decree from the Federal Trade Commission. Zatko later testified in September at a Senate Judiciary Committee hearing about his allegations

Twitter pushed back on the allegations at the time and accused them of being “riddled with inconsistencies and inaccuracies.”

Tags CISA cybersecurity Hacking Jen Easterly Joe Biden Twitter Twitter Twitter Whistleblower

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed..

 

Main Area Top ↴

Testing Homepage Widget

More Technology News

See All

 

Main Area Middle ↴
Main Area Bottom ↴

Most Popular

Load more

Video

See all Video