Government Shutdown Could See Thousands of Federal Cyber Workers Furloughed
Federal cybersecurity operations could be sharply scaled back this weekend as a possible government shutdown threatens to furlough nearly two-thirds of the nation’s cyber defense agency, exposing critical networks to heightened threats during the holiday season.
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The cuts would be swift and severe: The Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency would need just four business hours to carry out “an orderly cessation” of all activities, limited to those authorized by law, essential to the president’s constitutional duties or necessary to protect life and property, according to federal contingency plans. In September, CISA published an updated blueprint outlining its response to a lapse in appropriations, specifying that only 1,159 of its 3,401 on-board employees as of June 2024 would be excepted to remain.
CISA’s cutbacks sharply contrast with those of other federal agencies under the Department of Homeland Security, such as the Federal Emergency Management Agency, which anticipates fewer than 4,000 furloughs out of its nearly 24,000 employees. The potential shutdown comes as millions of Americans prepare to celebrate the holidays, a time when reports show threat actors and hackers are active, targeting vulnerable networks that may lack sufficient security due to reduced staffing or resources.
The pending shutdown could trigger major cutbacks to critical technology services across the federal government, including DHS’s Science and Technology Directorate, which provides technical expertise to address emerging threats impacting DHS, first responders and private sector organizations. During a lapse in appropriations, just 31 of its staff members would be retained, representing a staggering 94% reduction in its workforce.
The shutdown could lead to longer airport lines, furloughs for hundreds of thousands of federal workers. Brian Fox, CTO of software supply chain management firm Sonatype, previously told Information Security Media Group that CISA plays a critical role in safeguarding government infrastructure during periods of political turbulence.
“It’s no secret that times of uncertainty, change and disruption are prime opportunities for threat actors to increase efforts to infiltrate systems,” Fox said (see: How Global Threat Actors May Respond to a Second Trump Term).
The shutdown is set to begin at 12:01 a.m. on Saturday, December 21, unless lawmakers can pass a short-term spending bill, after the House rejected a compromise package Thursday night following online remarks from President-elect Donald Trump and his billionaire government efficiency advisor, Elon Musk.
House Speaker Mike Johnson pledged Friday afternoon that the government would stay open through the holidays as Republican lawmakers prepared to vote on spending bill that would keep the government funded until March 14.