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The National Security Agency has named its deputy director, filling a job left vacant amid months of leadership vacuums and staff turnover.
Tim Kosiba was approved by top officials to serve as the civilian lead at NSA, according to a Friday announcement. In the role, he is charged with directing operations, managing civilian leadership, setting policy and overseeing the execution of the agency’s strategy.
Kosiba, who has worked at NSA and the FBI, was vetted last month, a person familiar with the matter told Nextgov/FCW.
Initially, Joe Francescon, who served on the National Security Council in President Donald Trump’s first term, was set to be named to the position. But far-right activist Laura Loomer, whose influence over NSA-leader picks led to the firing of its previous director and other top officials, criticized the move, claiming that Francescon donated to a Democrat in Congress and that his wife had ties to China. Francescon ultimately was not given the job.
“It is an honor to come back home and serve as the National Security Agency’s next deputy director,” Kosiba said in a statement. “As it has been for more than 30 years, my deep commitment to our mission continues, and I am excited to once again serve alongside the agency’s incredible workforce.”
Kosiba began his federal career with the Naval Criminal Investigative Service, then joined the FBI in 1996. He moved to NSA in 2007, serving in senior technical leadership roles across cyber operations, including as technical director for Joint Functional Component Command for Network Warfare, a precursor group to U.S. Cyber Command.
He held leadership positions within NSA’s Tailored Access Operations, a highly classified division responsible for offensive cyber operations and gaining covert access to foreign computer networks. His most recent NSA jobs were chief of computer network operations and deputy commander of NSA Georgia, the agency’s largest field site.
In the new role, Kosiba will contend with declining morale inside the spy agency, as well as hasty workforce cuts executed by the Trump administration last year.
Next week, Army Lt. Gen. Joshua Rudd — nominated to head NSA and Cyber Command in a dual-hatted capacity — is to testify before the Senate Armed Services Committee. And in coming weeks, the agency is expected to staff up acting leadership in its cybersecurity division, The Record reported Thursday.
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11 Comments
The fact that Kosiba was vetted last month and approved by top officials suggests that his appointment was carefully considered, unlike the previous attempts to fill the position.
The timing of Kosiba’s appointment is notable, given that Army Lt. Gen. Joshua Rudd is set to testify before the Senate Armed Services Committee next week, and the agency is expected to staff up acting leadership in its cybersecurity division.
The appointment of Tim Kosiba as deputy director is a significant move, especially given the controversy surrounding Joe Francescon’s potential appointment and the criticism from far-right activist Laura Loomer.
It’s interesting to note that Kosiba’s experience with the FBI and NSA will likely influence his approach to directing operations and managing civilian leadership.
Kosiba’s statement about his deep commitment to the NSA’s mission and his excitement to serve alongside the agency’s workforce is reassuring, but it remains to be seen how he will address the internal challenges facing the agency.
As someone who has worked in the federal sector, I’m curious to know how Kosiba plans to contend with the hasty workforce cuts executed by the Trump administration last year and restore stability to the agency.
The fact that Kosiba began his federal career with the Naval Criminal Investigative Service and later joined the FBI in 1996 suggests that he has a strong foundation in investigative work and law enforcement, which could serve him well in his new role.
The influence of far-right activist Laura Loomer in the NSA-leader picks is concerning, and it’s worth examining how her criticism of Joe Francescon’s potential appointment affected the outcome.
With Kosiba’s experience in Tailored Access Operations, a highly classified division responsible for offensive cyber operations, it will be interesting to see how he navigates the agency’s cybersecurity efforts and balances them with the need for covert access to foreign computer networks.
As the agency’s largest field site, NSA Georgia will likely play a significant role in Kosiba’s leadership, and his experience as deputy commander of NSA Georgia will be valuable in informing his decisions as deputy director.
Kosiba’s background in cyber operations, including his role as technical director for Joint Functional Component Command for Network Warfare, will be crucial in addressing the declining morale and workforce cuts within the agency.