Panel criticizes agency reductions and use of unsecured apps; witnesses call for restored public‑private incident mechanisms

Members of the House Energy and Commerce subcommittee and witnesses criticized recent reductions in federal cybersecurity coordination and raised concerns about senior officials using unsecured commercial messaging apps for sensitive conversations.

Laura Galante, who led the unified coordination group that responded to SALT Typhoon, said joint government‑industry mechanisms such as the Cyber Safety Review Board and the enduring security framework provided critical sequencing and evidence‑based remediation after major incidents and expressed concern about their recent dissolution or reduction.

Why it matters: Witnesses and members said the most effective defense against sophisticated, state‑sponsored cyber operations requires rapid, bilateral information sharing and joint operational processes that connect intelligence, law enforcement, federal civilian agencies and private network operators.

Committee members repeatedly criticized senior officials’ use of unsecured messaging apps. Several members described incidents in which classified or sensitive material was shared through Signal or other unofficial channels; witnesses told the panel classified deliberations should occur only on authorized classified systems.

Witnesses also warned that federal workforce cuts at agencies such as CISA reduce capacity to support state and local governments and the private sector. Members requested follow‑up materials describing how federal authorities and information‑sharing mechanisms can be reconstituted or strengthened.

No formal committee action was taken. Members reserved time to pursue written responses and documentary submissions from agencies and witnesses.