Head of the US Cyber Security Agency Fails Polygraph Test and Fires Subordinates

Madhu Gottumukkala, Head of the US Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA), failed a polygraph test while trying to access restricted materials.

The test was organized by his subordinates, Politico reports. However, as a result, they were suspended from work.

The failed lie detector test took place in late July.

According to former and current employees of the agency, Gottumukkala repeatedly asked for access to the data of one of the most secretive intelligence programs, but was denied.

CISA is a civilian agency, and most of its employees do not need to see such highly confidential material. But Gottumukkala continued to insist on obtaining the right to access the classified data.

The reasons for the failure of the head of the agency on the polygraph test are unknown.

On August 1, six employees of the agency were notified of the start of an investigation by the US Department of Homeland Security. The department is checking whether they could have misled the head of CISA by saying that a polygraph test was necessary to access classified data.

According to Politico’s sources, no one forced the head of the agency to take a polygraph test – he insisted on the test himself. Neither Gottumukkala nor CISA provided comments to the media.

The Department of Homeland Security officially stated that the polygraph was “unauthorized.”

Department spokeswoman Tricia McLaughlin noted that “rank-and-file bureaucrats can’t just order a test on the top brass.” At the same time, human resources officials claim that Gottumukkala himself signed a request for access to intelligence, which automatically requires a polygraph.

The list of suspended employees includes key figures:

• Jeffrey Conklin, CISA’s Director of Security;
• Masoom Choudhary – Deputy Chief of Staff;
• Scott McCarthy – Former Acting Director of Security.

The incident came at a very difficult time for CISA. After the arrival of the Donald Trump administration, the agency faced significant budget and staff cuts.