Brian Mazanec has taken over as the acting executive assistant director for the Infrastructure Security Division at the U.S. Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency, stepping into a role focused on critical infrastructure protection, risk management, and public-private resilience collaboration.
Three Core Infrastructure Security Takeaways
- Leadership Transition: CISA Acting Director Nick Andersen administered the oath of office to Mazanec for the acting executive assistant director post within the Infrastructure Security Division.
- Extensive Background: Mazanec brings over two decades of experience spanning risk assessment, all-hazards preparedness, and national security portfolios across multiple federal agencies.
- Recent Response History: His immediate past experience includes directing incident responses to major cyberattacks such as the 2024 Change Healthcare attack, alongside domestic infectious disease emergencies.
Oath Administered by CISA Leadership
CISA Acting Director Nick Andersen administered the oath of office to Brian Mazanec for the acting executive assistant director position. In this capacity, Mazanec oversees national efforts to secure critical infrastructure from all hazards. According to official CISA leadership documentation, the division manages risk and enhances resilience through active collaboration with the critical infrastructure community.
Throughout his career, Mazanec has accumulated a background spanning over twenty years in public-private coordination, critical infrastructure protection, risk assessment, and all-hazards preparedness. His career encompasses work across the national security and homeland security enterprise.
Acting Director Nick Andersen swore in Brian Mazanec as our Acting Executive Assistant Director for Infrastructure Security. Brian brings a wealth of knowledge & experience across the homeland security enterprise. Join us in welcoming him to the team: https://t.co/VDjHPP5F1C pic.twitter.com/Lvh4LsZlcP
Transition from Health Security to Cyber Infrastructure
Prior to taking on his current responsibilities at CISA, Mazanec held the positions of director of the Center for Preparedness and deputy assistant secretary within the Administration for Strategic Preparedness and Response located at the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. In that position, he oversaw healthcare and public health readiness, situational awareness, operational coordination, continuity, and security.
While working at HHS, Mazanec led the management of incident responses concerning significant cyber incidents impacting the Healthcare and Public Health sector, which featured the 2024 Change Healthcare attack. He also managed domestic infectious disease emergencies, overseeing responses to the 2026 hantavirus and Bundibugyo Ebola outbreaks. He partnered with CISA and the Federal Bureau of Investigation on joint cybersecurity advisories directed at critical infrastructure partners.
Earlier National Security and Academic Portfolio
Mazanec’s federal career includes leadership roles across defense and intelligence agencies. He previously led the Strategic Warfare, Security and Intelligence portfolio at the U.S. Government Accountability Office.
Past roles involved concentrating on weapons of mass destruction topics while at the Joint Staff, the Defense Intelligence Agency, and the Office of the Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for Nuclear Matters. His academic credentials consist of a bachelor’s degree in political science earned at the University of Richmond, a master’s degree in defense and strategic studies from Missouri State University, alongside a doctorate in biodefense obtained from George Mason University’s Schar School of Policy and Government. He also teaches graduate-level courses and has authored or co-authored academic books on cyber issues.
| Agency or Organization | Role or Portfolio |
|---|---|
| Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency | Acting Executive Assistant Director, Infrastructure Security Division |
| Department of Health and Human Services | Deputy Assistant Secretary and Director, Center for Preparedness (ASPR) |
| Government Accountability Office | Lead, Strategic Warfare, Security and Intelligence Portfolio |
| Defense Intelligence Agency | Weapons of Mass Destruction Portfolio Specialist |
Federal Disclosures Omit Permanent Nomination Timeline
While Mazanec has assumed the acting executive assistant director responsibilities, federal disclosures do not specify how long he will remain in the acting capacity or whether a permanent nomination is pending for the permanent position within CISA’s Infrastructure Security Division.
