WASHINGTON—As the government shutdown extends, experts believe cybersecurity risks could grow and lead to bigger problems that go far beyond state and federal agencies.
The shutdown has already created government cybersecurity issues, as more than 80 TLS (Transport Layer Security) certificates for government websites expired in recent weeks since the shutdown began on Dec. 22, explained Tech Target.
“But experts noted that, because it is a partial shutdown, the risks are higher for agencies where workers are furloughed,” the news outlet stated.
The Departments of Defense, Energy, Veterans Affairs, the legislative branch and other government agencies had funding secured with appropriations bills passed in September. However, a lack of funding has led to 85% of NIST employees and 43% of employees within the Department of Homeland Security's Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency being furloughed, and the National Vulnerability Database is down to being staffed by a single individual, Tech Target reported.
‘Greater Window’
Bryson Bort, CEO of cybersecurity vendor SCYTHE, based in Arlington, Va., and fellow at the National Security Institute, told Tech Target that the effects of the shutdown on government cybersecurity may "be invisible, but additive as this prolongs."
"For now, it's simple things, like NIST – [which] provides best-practice guidance on cybersecurity – has [its] webpages down that host those documents," Bort said. "Patching is certainly going to be slower, so if there are any serious and up patch requirements, then there could be a greater window than normal."