Full Report
She said at her confirmation hearing that CISA needs to be “smaller, more nimble” and it has gone “far off-mission.” The post Noem: No anti-disinformation, misinformation action under her as DHS secretary appeared first on CyberScoop.
Analysis Summary
# Main Topic
Incoming DHS Secretary nominee Kristi Noem's stated intention to cease all Department of Homeland Security (DHS) efforts related to combating disinformation and misinformation, alongside a planned restructuring of the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA).
## Key Points
- DHS Secretary nominee Kristi Noem committed to keeping the department out of efforts to combat disinformation and misinformation if confirmed.
- Noem characterized CISA's involvement in these matters as "far off-mission" and an improper use of resources.
- She pledged to make CISA "smaller, more nimble" to refocus its efforts strictly on hardening national critical infrastructure.
- This stance aligns with conservative critiques that federal agencies were curtailing free speech through content moderation influences related to election security and COVID-19.
- Past actions taken by DHS, such as disbanding the Disinformation Governance Board and stepping away from flagging false election claims, are seen as precursors to this policy shift.
## Threat Actors
- No specific threat actors or adversary groups are mentioned in direct relation to misinformation/disinformation efforts discussed.
- The focus is on **government policy and agency focus** rather than external threat intrusion.
## TTPs
- No technical Tactics, Techniques, or Procedures (TTPs) are detailed as this section pertains to policy and agency structure, not a cyber operation.
- Mentioned previous activities by CISA (now to be stopped) included flagging false election-related claims and guidance on COVID-19, which critics deemed interference.
## Affected Systems
- The primary "system" affected is the **mission scope and structure of the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA)** within DHS.
- Social media platforms (e.g., Meta) were indirectly affected by previous administration pressure regarding content moderation decisions.
## Mitigations
- **Agency Action (Policy Shift):** The primary "mitigation" discussed is the legislative/executive decision to halt DHS and CISA initiatives targeting disinformation/misinformation.
- **CISA Refocus:** Recommended defensive measure involves refocusing CISA resources solely on "hunt and to help harden our nation’s critical infrastructure."
## Conclusion
The confirmation testimony of Kristi Noem indicates a significant policy reversal regarding the role of DHS and CISA in countering information threats. The threat intelligence focus shifts away from tracking and mitigating information operations toward prioritizing traditional cyber defense of critical infrastructure. Analysts should note the reduction in anticipated government monitoring/flagging of disinformation content.