EXCLUSIVE: The US government’s cyber defense agency is struggling to protect America from foreign adversaries

Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency has lost up to 10 percent of its 3,200 -person workforce.

The agency is struggling to sustain its momentum after several rounds of layoffs and new restrictions from the Trump administration.

CISA 's temporary leader is doing everything she can to appease President Donald Trump , infuriating employees.

CISA ’s external partnerships have been especially hard-hit.

International travel has been frozen, two employees say, with trips and online communications with foreign partners requiring approval.

CISA's Joint Cyber Defense Collaborative , a high-profile hub of government-industry cooperation, is also struggling.

With fewer staffers to manage its relationships, the JCDC confronts a perilous question.

The election security initiative, through which CISA provided free services and guidance to state and local officials, became a target of right-wing conspiracy theories in 2020 .

The program was a tiny part of CISA ’s budget and operations, but the campaign against it has alarmed agency employees.

The biggest source of stress is acting CISA director Bridget Bean , a former Trump appointee who, employees say, appears eager to please the president.