When you think about the Cybersecurity & Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) the emphasis on cyber may be the first issue that grabs your attention. But with cyber baked into almost every business process and government today perhaps the part of CISA’s name that should draw you is in security – that’s one of the reasons first responders find a welcome reception in openings across CISA’s mission. When it comes to protecting public safety, first responders are uniquely poised to identify risks, know where vulnerabilities to infrastructures and systems exist, and the jump in with innovative solutions to solve them.
“One of the things I talk about regularly here with every cadre of new employees here at CISA is to look at things in the eyes of our partners,” said Nitin Natarajan, deputy director of CISA. “Having had an opportunity to sit in many of those partner seats over the years has allowed me to bring that perspective into what we do.”
Natarajan spent the first 13 years of his career as a first responder, and said that he thought he would remain in that community for the duration of his career. One of the things he enjoys about his role with CISA is the ability to stay connected to the first responder community while addressing a variety of vulnerabilities and problems. At the core, whether it’s CISA or as a first responder, it’s about service and giving back. And that expertise is one that’s coveted at CISA, where being able to relate to problems from the ground helps with implementing solutions that work from the top.
Robert Rhoades, emergency communications director at CISA spent 33 years in the fire service, retiring as a battalion chief. He recalls many times when effective communications, networks, and cybersecurity operations were critical to his ability to keep the public safe.
“Over my 33 years of working in the fire service I recognize that a resilient, effective communication network is inherent to public safety.”
Now with CISA, he sees how the organization can provide tools like grant funding, along with data and resources around best practices that help CISA’s community partners succeed.
“The bigger picture of it is giving back to the community, and giving back to the nation, and having that opportunity to serve the people, which to me is probably the biggest privilege and honor of all,” said Natarajan. “When I left federal service four years ago I knew I’d come back at some point in my career. It’s where I always want to be.”
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