Chris Krebs, the former director of the U.S. Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA), announced his immediate departure from cybersecurity firm SentinelOne on Wednesday amid an escalating dispute with the Trump administration.
In an email to SentinelOne employees, Krebs stated he was stepping down from his role as chief intelligence and public policy officer, emphasizing it was his personal decision. "This is my fight, not the company's," Krebs wrote, noting he needs to focus fully on what he describes as "a fight for democracy, for freedom of speech, and for the rule of law."
The departure comes one week after President Trump signed a memo revoking security clearances held by Krebs and suspending clearances of SentinelOne-affiliated individuals. The memo also called for an investigation into Krebs' activities during his government service, including his tenure as CISA's inaugural director from 2018 to 2020.
SentinelOne CEO Tomer Weingarten praised Krebs' contributions in a follow-up email to staff, highlighting his impact on the company and cybersecurity industry. The Mountain View-based company maintains that the security clearance issue affects fewer than 10 employees and will not substantially impact operations.
Krebs joined SentinelOne in November 2023 after serving as an advisory board member since June 2021. He also stepped down from his position as president of PinnacleOne Strategic Advisory Group.
The company, which works with approximately 5,000 channel partners worldwide, reaffirmed its commitment to supporting U.S. and global allies against cybersecurity threats despite the leadership change.