Edward Bómbita, a top-ranking cybersecurity official with the California Cybersecurity Integration Center (Cal-CSIC), is no longer with the organization.
According to the Governor’s Office of Emergency Services, which oversees the center, Bómbita’s last day was Sept. 26.
Reports of his departure cite friction between existing threats and policy priorities, with Bómbita telling CalMatters that the state needs an independent cybersecurity agency that can address things such as critical infrastructure threats without political or leadership interference.
“In an ideal world, we would have a cybersecurity agency for the state that was an independent agency that didn’t answer to the governor or the Legislature, just answer to the people,” he told the publication. “It’s an amazing organization, it’s just in the wrong agency and should be its own thing.”
He was initially appointed to the position of commander in June 2024 by Gov. Gavin Newsom after holding cybersecurity positions with U.S. Army Cyber Command, U.S. Fleet Cyber Command/U.S. 10th Fleet, the California National Guard and the California Department of Technology.
Bómbita holds a Bachelor of Science degree in business information systems from California State University, Fresno.
Bómbita Out at California Cybersecurity Integration Center
Edward Bómbita, commander with the California Cybersecurity Integration Center, was relieved of duty in late September. Reports of his departure cite friction between real-world threats and leadership priorities.
