The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has abruptly dissolved the Cyber Security Review Board (CSRB) and other advisory committees, sparking concerns about the Trump administration's commitment to national security and cybersecurity preparedness. The decision, announced on Tuesday, has been met with criticism from cybersecurity experts and former committee members.

The CSRB, comprised of both private sector and government cybersecurity experts, was established to provide critical guidance on cybersecurity issues affecting the nation. The board had been investigating recent breaches at several U.S. telecoms, allegedly carried out by Chinese government hackers, as well as the breach of U.S. government email systems provided by Microsoft. The CSRB's report on the latter incident, published in March last year, was widely praised in the cybersecurity community.

One person familiar with the CSRB, who received the termination letter, expressed dismay at the decision, calling it "horribly shortsighted" and a "dangerous blunder." The individual, who wished to remain anonymous, emphasized the importance of the CSRB's work, particularly in the face of ongoing cyber attacks from China. "You can't stop what you don't understand, and the CSRB was arming us with understanding," they said.

The termination letter, citing the need to "eliminate the misuse of resources" and prioritize national security, has been met with skepticism. Another person familiar with the matter pointed out that advisory board members receive no salary, making the rationale questionable. "It's interesting that the rationale is 'misuse of resources' because all advisory board members get an excitingly rich salary of…$0," they noted.

Katie Moussouris, a cybersecurity expert with over two decades of experience and a former CSRB member, expressed hope that the vacancies would be filled with qualified individuals without delay. "The people who serve as government advisors should be judged by skills and merit, not by political affiliation," she said.

The DHS's decision has also raised concerns about the impact on other critical areas, as several other advisory committees dedicated to artificial intelligence, telecommunications, science and technology, and emergency preparedness are reportedly affected. The move has sparked questions about the administration's priorities and commitment to addressing pressing national security and cybersecurity challenges.

Despite requests for comment, the DHS did not respond. CISA spokesperson Valerie Mongello referred TechCrunch's inquiry to the DHS, which remained silent on the matter.

The sudden dissolution of the CSRB and other advisory committees has sent a ripple of concern through the cybersecurity community, with many experts warning of the potential consequences of this decision. As the nation grapples with increasingly sophisticated cyber threats, the importance of informed guidance and expert advice cannot be overstated. The Trump administration's decision to disband these critical committees has raised more questions than answers, leaving many to wonder about the future of national security and cybersecurity in the United States.