Former CISA chief Chris Krebs is once again in the spotlight after former President Donald Trump signed a directive stripping him of any remaining security clearances. The order also casts a wider net, calling for a temporary suspension of clearances held by individuals connected to SentinelOne, the cybersecurity company where Krebs now holds a senior leadership role.
According to a presidential memorandum released this week, federal agencies must immediately revoke any active security clearances linked to Krebs. At the same time, they are required to suspend clearances for individuals at organizations tied to him, including SentinelOne, until a full national interest review is completed.
Krebs, who headed the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) from its inception in 2018 until his dismissal in November 2020, famously pushed back against Trump’s claims of election fraud. He described the 2020 election as “the most secure in American history,” a statement that likely contributed to his termination.
After leaving public service, Krebs co-founded the Krebs Stamos Group, a cybersecurity consultancy that was eventually acquired by SentinelOne. He now serves as Chief Intelligence and Public Policy Officer and President of PinnacleOne, the company’s strategic advisory arm.
The newly signed order doesn’t stop at revoking security access. It also mandates a sweeping review of CISA’s actions during Krebs’ leadership. The investigation aims to determine whether Krebs or the agency may have violated federal conduct guidelines or mishandled classified information.
The White House memo further accuses Krebs of engaging in behavior that, it claims, conflicted with government policies on free speech and neutrality. Though specific incidents were not detailed, the administration is pushing for accountability over actions taken during and after Krebs’ government tenure.
Krebs responded late Wednesday night on X (formerly Twitter) by reposting a message from November 2020 that read, “Honored to serve. We did it right. Defend Today, Secure Tomorrow. #Protect2020.”
Meanwhile, SentinelOne issued a statement on Thursday emphasizing its cooperation with any official security clearance review. The company noted that fewer than 10 employees could be affected and only in cases dictated by standard government security protocols.
“We do not expect this to materially impact our business in any way,” the company stated, reiterating its strong alignment with national security priorities.
SentinelOne further added, “We view the White House as an essential partner in securing U.S. infrastructure. Our mission remains to support the country in an era of rising geopolitical threats. Our team is focused on doing good through technology and continuing our work with U.S. government, military, and intelligence agencies.”
As tensions remain high around cybersecurity policy and political divisions, this latest move reflects deeper efforts to reshape federal oversight in the digital security space.
