tech
January 30, 2026
US cybersecurity chief leaked sensitive files to ChatGPT
The acting director of the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency, Madhu Gottumukkala, uploaded sensitive government documents
TL;DR
- Madhu Gottumukkala, acting head of CISA, uploaded sensitive government documents to public ChatGPT.
- The documents were marked 'For Official Use Only' and not classified.
- Security sensors at CISA flagged the uploads, leading to a DHS damage assessment.
- Gottumukkala had a special exception to use ChatGPT, while it's blocked for other DHS employees.
- Public ChatGPT uploads are shared with OpenAI, unlike approved DHS AI tools which prevent data from leaving federal networks.
- CISA stated Gottumukkala had permission with DHS controls and his use was 'short-term and limited'.
- Gottumukkala's tenure has also seen controversy regarding a reportedly failed counterintelligence polygraph test.
- The Trump administration has promoted AI adoption across the federal government.
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