CISA threatened by potential DHS shutdown

Acting Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency Director Madhu Gottumukkala said another potential shutdown of the Department of Homeland Security could impede the agency's activities, according to CyberScoop.

In a testimony before the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Homeland Security, Gottumukkala noted that CISA would have its threat response, capability building, and service delivery efforts hindered by the funding lapse. Work on regulations tied to the Cyber Incident Reporting for Critical Infrastructure Act would also pause, while the issuance of binding operational directives could be delayed. It would continue certain limited functions, including responding to imminent threats, maintaining its 24/7 operations center, operating shared cybersecurity services, and sharing vulnerability and incident information.

"However, CISA would not perform any strategic planning, development of cybersecurity advice and guidance, or development of new technical capabilities," said Gottumukkala, who noted that 888 of the agency's 2,341 employees would also be designated as "excepted," allowing them to work without pay in the event of a shutdown.