The Shocking Reality of Unemployment: Kelly Shaw’s Story

Kelly Shaw, a former senior intelligence analyst, finds herself in uncharted territory: unemployment. After a distinguished career in the Navy and later at the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Agency (CISA), Shaw was unexpectedly fired in a mass termination event known as the "Valentine’s Day Massacre." This unexpected turn of events has left her grappling with uncertainty and disbelief. "I’ve never been in this situation before. I’ve never been fired," Shaw shared, her voice tinged with quiet reflection as she sat at her kitchen table in Northern Virginia.

Shaw’s career was nothing short of remarkable. After leaving the Navy nearly three years ago, she was recruited by the nation’s top cyber defense agency and rose through the ranks. She played a pivotal role in establishing a congressionally mandated program designed to monitor and detect cyber breaches in critical infrastructure, such as the nation’s power grid, pipelines, and water systems. Her work involved installing sensors to identify insider threats and foreign adversaries, including China, Russia, and Iran. Shaw described her mission as focused on uncovering "indicators of compromise" and evidence of adversaries attempting to infiltrate networks. "That’s what we did," she said, pausing, "Well, that’s what some will still do."

The Mass Firings: A Devastating Blow to Cybersecurity Expertise

Shaw was among 130 probationary CISA employees terminated in the "Valentine’s Day Massacre." The firings, which accounted for over 4% of CISA’s workforce, were delivered via form letters stating that the terminated employees’ "ability, knowledge, and skills do not fit the Agency’s current needs." This rationale has left many questioning the logic behind such drastic cuts, especially given the critical roles these employees played in protecting the nation’s cybersecurity infrastructure.

The terminated employees included threat hunters, incident response team members, disabled veterans, and individuals who had already enrolled in the federal government’s deferred resignation program. Many were former private sector workers who had left lucrative jobs, some earning seven-figure salaries, to join the federal government. Paula Davis, a former cybersecurity specialist, was one such individual. She recounted the arduous process of obtaining her security clearance, which took 13 months, only to be terminated without a response to her email justifying her position. Davis’s role involved analyzing code for state and local municipalities, identifying risks in the nation’s aging critical infrastructure. "We’re being targeted daily, hourly, and every single minute," she said, emphasizing the urgency of her work.

The Oath to the Constitution: A Commitment Beyond a Paycheck

For many of these terminated employees, their commitment to public service went beyond a paycheck. "I didn’t take an oath to the Constitution just to start getting a paycheck," Davis shared. "Or else I would have just gone back into the private sector. I would have stayed at a big corporation." This sentiment resonates with many who left high-paying private sector jobs to serve a greater mission. The rapid-fire firings have left lawmakers and high-ranking officials concerned about the long-term consequences for national security.

Democratic Rep. Bennie Thompson of Mississippi, the ranking member of the House Homeland Security Committee, warned that "significant cuts are coming for the remaining workforce" at CISA. "That kind of talent, you just don’t find it every day," Thompson said. "You have to convince many of those individuals to leave lucrative private sector employment and come and accept the public mission of securing our cybersecurity systems and protecting our country." The loss of such expertise raises grave concerns about the nation’s ability to respond to cyber threats, including foreign espionage campaigns like SolarWinds and Volt Typhoon.

The Cyber Talent Management System: A Pipeline of Expertise Destroyed

CISA’s "Cyber Talent Management System" (CTMS) was designed to recruit and retain top-tier talent to address the nation’s cybersecurity needs. Since 2021, this congressionally mandated program has competed with the private sector to attract skilled individuals with "knowledge, skills, abilities, and behaviors" essential for the agency’s mission. However, the recent firings have decimated this pipeline of expertise.

A former human resources employee at CISA revealed that nearly 100 CTMS staff members were among those terminated. "Everybody in CTMS is automatically in a three-year probation, so it’s easier to get rid of them," the former HR employee explained. "Close to 99% of our CTMS employees were probationary." This revelation has left many questioning the rationale behind such sweeping cuts. "You are extinguishing the best and brightest in one fell swoop," a current CISA employee remarked.

The Broader Implications: National Security at Risk

The impact of these firings extends far beyond the individual employees affected. The cuts have raised alarms about the nation’s vulnerability to cyber threats. Rob Joyce, a former NSA cybersecurity director, expressed "grave concerns" about the consequences of eliminating probationary employees. "At my former agency, remarkable technical talent was recruited into developmental programs that provided intensive, unique training and hands-on experience to cultivate vital skills," Joyce said. "Eliminating probationary employees will destroy a pipeline of top talent responsible for hunting and eradicating threats."

The situation has also drawn criticism for its potential to weaken U.S. efforts to combat foreign interference in elections. Over a dozen employees tasked with stopping foreign meddling in U.S. elections were placed on leave, part of a broader trend of dismantling initiatives aimed at countering election interference. This move has left many worried about the nation’s ability to safeguard its democratic processes.

The Aftermath: Rebuilding Trust and Reclaiming Expertise

In response to the firings, former CISA Director Jen Easterly has taken steps to assist terminated employees, launching a website to connect former CISA alumni with prospective employers. Rep. Bennie Thompson has also established a hotline for fired employees to share their stories. While some agencies have begun rehiring or reinstating workers following a federal judge’s temporary block on mass firings, CISA has yet to follow suit.

Shaw, when asked if she would return to CISA, hesitated before responding, "I would have to go back." She cited the agency’s essential mission and the need for a steady paycheck, but added, "They’d have to earn my trust back. But I don’t know how you do that." Her sentiment reflects the broader uncertainty and disillusionment felt by many who dedicated their careers to protecting the nation’s cybersecurity infrastructure.

As the nation grapples with the fallout of these layoffs, one thing is clear: the loss of such expertise poses a significant risk to national security. The question now is whether the government can afford to continue cutting corners in its cybersecurity efforts, or if it will reclaim the trust and talent needed to safeguard the nation’s digital future.