During the Billington CyberSecurity Summit in Washington, D.C., **Andersen** underscored the critical need for immediate and significant changes to avert potentially devastating cyber incidents. "We've made a lot of really bad decisions over the last decades, plus you know our technical debt across the board is overwhelming," **Andersen** stated, emphasizing the dire consequences of inaction. ### The Urgency of Staffing Up **Andersen** highlighted the importance of bolstering **CISA**'s workforce. The agency currently has approximately 250 incoming staff members who have been screened and hired, awaiting security clearances. This influx is crucial as **CISA** faced substantial staffing cuts and attrition during the previous administration, losing about a third of its personnel. **Department of Homeland Security** Secretary **Markwayne Mullin** previously pledged to fill around 600 **CISA** positions, aiming to restore the agency to its full operational capacity. "We want to be the [go-to source] for cybersecurity in the nation," **Mullin** said, acknowledging the agency was "about half-staffed from what we need to be." Priority hiring areas include **CISA**'s operational, cybersecurity, infrastructure security, and emergency communications divisions, along with regional field workers. ### The AI Game Changer **Andersen** specifically pointed to the rapidly evolving threat of artificial intelligence as a significant game-changer. The cybersecurity landscape is increasingly challenged by the potential for AI-driven attacks and vulnerabilities. He referenced recent headlines, including a researcher from AI company **Anthropic** who reportedly resigned due to concerns about the safety and control of advanced AI models. This sentiment reflects a broader anxiety within the industry. "This is an an overwhelming time, I think, for a lot of infrastructure operators, just thinking about 'Oh my gosh! I'm about to just get crushed and overwhelmed with vulnerabilities,'" **Andersen** remarked, encapsulating the apprehension felt by many security professionals facing this new wave of threats.