Cybersecurity prioritization sought by retiring GAO leader

FedScoop reports that Gene Dodaro, retiring comptroller general of the Government Accountability Office, has warned senators that both federal cybersecurity and critical infrastructure protection are not being given the urgency they require, leaving the country increasingly vulnerable to cyber threats.

Dodaro, who appeared before the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs panel, said the daily pressure from state and non-state actors poses a serious risk. He stressed the need to quickly confirm a permanent director for the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency, which has been led by an acting director for months. Dodaro said many GAO recommendations for CISA remain unfinished.

"But I'm concerned that we're taking our foot off the gas at CISA, and I think we'll live to regret it," he said. Cybersecurity has been listed as a high-risk area by GAO since 1997, yet about 600 of 4,400 recommendations are still open. Dodaro said recent staffing cuts have reduced CISA's workforce by about one-third, making progress harder. He also raised concerns about whether the agency can support election security ahead of the midterms while managing broader infrastructure threats.