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Brian Mazanec, who previously oversaw health-sector preparedness at the Department of Health and Human Services, has been sworn in as acting executive assistant director for infrastructure security at CISA.
✦ AI SUMMARY 30-second read
- Mazanec steps into the acting role after leaving HHS's Administration for Strategic Preparedness and Response, where he served since January 2023.
- He brings experience from the Change Healthcare ransomware response and joint cybersecurity advisories produced with CISA and the FBI.
- CISA also confirmed two further personnel moves: Brian Bonacci permanently appointed to lead emergency communications, and Christina Duvall named acting chief operations support officer.
Why it matters: The appointment places a health-sector cyber veteran in charge of securing all 16 critical infrastructure sectors across the United States.
This summary was generated by AI. Editors may review and update it.
The Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency has appointed Brian Mazanec as acting executive assistant director for infrastructure security. Mazanec was sworn in on Monday, according to CISA.
Mazanec most recently served as deputy assistant secretary and director of the Center for Preparedness within HHS's Administration for Strategic Preparedness and Response. He stepped down from that post last week after serving there since January 2023.
His new division is responsible for securing critical infrastructure from all hazards, conducting risk assessments, and providing tools, training and related assistance across all 16 critical infrastructure sectors.
Background and experience
While at HHS, Mazanec helped lead the department's response to significant events including the Change Healthcare ransomware attack, as well as the agency's work during infectious disease outbreaks such as this year's hantavirus outbreak.
CISA noted that Mazanec had previously partnered with the agency and the Federal Bureau of Investigation on joint cybersecurity advisories and engaged critical infrastructure partners across the health sector.
Earlier in his career, Mazanec led the strategic warfare, security and intelligence portfolio at the Government Accountability Office. He also worked on weapons of mass destruction issues at the Defense Intelligence Agency, the Office of the Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for Nuclear Matters, and the Joint Staff.
Current CISA priorities
Mazanec's appointment coincides with CISA's launch of its critical infrastructure security and resilience month. This year, the agency introduced the CI Fortify initiative, which encourages critical infrastructure organisations to remain resilient to successful cyber attacks and to plan for outages that could sever connections to internet, telecommunications and other technology services.
CISA has also been focused on securing defence critical infrastructure that supports military bases and operations, including through a partnership with the Army.
Other personnel changes at CISA
Brian Bonacci has been permanently appointed as executive assistant director for emergency communications, a role he had held in an acting capacity since August. Bonacci previously served as CISA's chief of staff from August 2025 to November 2025, before moving to the Department of Homeland Security headquarters as senior counselor until this past August.
Christina Duvall has been named acting chief operations support officer. She previously served as CISA's director of facilities.