The U.S. government shutdown has raised serious cybersecurity concerns, with the Congressional Budget Office (CBO) recently hacked by a suspected foreign actor. The agency has taken steps to strengthen its defenses but has not commented on the impact of the shutdown on its cybersecurity operations. The prolonged shutdown has disrupted essential federal services, including air traffic control and Social Security, while also creating gaps in critical cybersecurity practices like system updates and monitoring. Experts warn that these gaps could have long-term consequences for federal digital security, as some agencies are better prepared than others. This article by Lily Hay Newman highlights the risks of prolonged government shutdowns on cybersecurity and national security.
Key facts
- The Congressional Budget Office (CBO) recently suffered a hack by a suspected foreign actor during the ongoing government shutdown.
- CBO has implemented additional security measures but has not confirmed if the shutdown has affected its cybersecurity operations.
- The shutdown has caused widespread disruptions, including air traffic control shortages and operational issues at the Social Security Administration.
- Experts warn that gaps in cybersecurity practices during the shutdown could lead to long-term vulnerabilities in federal systems.
- The transition to cloud-based systems has provided some security benefits, but not all agencies are equally prepared for disruptions.
