Concerns Rise Over Federal Cybersecurity Amid Shutdown
The recent prolonged government shutdown has intensified worries regarding the state of federal cybersecurity, potentially creating vulnerabilities during a time when numerous workers were furloughed. This disruption has exacerbated the longstanding issues of IT backlogs within various government agencies.
According to an anonymous former national security official, federal IT roles are crucial yet persistently underfunded. “Federal IT workers have good jobs, but they face significant challenges due to resource constraints,” the source informed WIRED. The ongoing inadequacies leave agencies struggling to keep pace with emerging security threats.
Cybersecurity expert Amélie Koran, who previously served as the chief enterprise security architect for the Department of Interior, emphasized that one of the most critical ramifications of the shutdown appears to be the disruption of relationships with specialized government contractors. Many of these professionals may have sought alternative employment to maintain their livelihoods, resulting in a loss of invaluable institutional knowledge that is challenging to replace.
Koran also highlighted the implications of the limited continuing resolution passed by Congress; it restricts new contracts or extensions, potentially causing ripple effects throughout the upcoming year. This lack of new resources could hinder efforts to fortify the government’s cybersecurity posture.
Adding to the urgency of these concerns, a significant breach was reported by the United States Congressional Budget Office (CBO) during the shutdown. More than five weeks into the closure, the agency announced that it had been compromised and was working to mitigate the incident. The Washington Post indicated that this breach was suspected to involve a foreign actor, raising alarms about the vulnerability of sensitive governmental data.
This breach follows a troubling trend, as the U.S. has endured several major cybersecurity incidents in recent years, such as the 2015 Office of Personnel Management hack attributed to China and the SolarWinds breach linked to Russian actors. Experts warn that inconsistent staffing and reduced hiring in critical cybersecurity agencies like the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) could have severe repercussions for national security.
Jake Williams, a former NSA hacker and current vice president of research and development at Hunter Strategy, underscored the potential ramifications of inadequate staffing. “When we face a significant cybersecurity incident, we cannot simply stock up on resources post-incident and expect to achieve the same effectiveness as long-established staff,” he stated.
The phenomenon of brain drain and dwindling momentum in digital defense is a pressing concern for national cybersecurity. Williams expressed ongoing worry about the deterioration of federal cybersecurity and critical infrastructure protection. “I continually fear that we may be backsliding in these vital areas,” he noted, emphasizing the need for proactive measures to stay ahead of evolving threats.
In terms of tactics that might be relevant to the recent CBO breach, the MITRE ATT&CK framework suggests that adversaries could have employed various techniques for initial access, persistence, and privilege escalation during the attack. Understanding these tactics is essential for organizations as they strengthen their defenses against the evolving landscape of cybersecurity threats.
