New Study: Closing the Gaps in Cybersecurity Resilience at U.S. Government Agencies

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“Closing the Gaps in Cybersecurity Resilience at U.S. Government Agencies,” a new survey of civilian, defense and intelligence agencies, suggests that the cybersecurity threat landscape is evolving quicker than they can respond.

Two-thirds of federal IT executives say their agency‘s ability to withstand a cyber event, and continue to function, is moderately to highly mature.

However, a number of gaps in cybersecurity resilience remain. 6 in 10 defense or intelligence agency IT executives — and 55% at civilian agencies — say their agencies “don’t have all the tools and resources needed to detect and respond to cyberthreats.”

Conclusions

Cyber Incident Response

While about 2 in 3 federal IT officials claim their agency can detect cybersecurity incidents — and more than half claim they can respond — within 12 hours, officials stress the need for more skilled cybersecurity help to confirm there aren’t deeper, undiscovered threats lurking in networks.

Cybersecurity Resilience

Federal IT executives are very or somewhat confident that their agencies can absorb a cyberattack and continue to function. But more than half of civilian executives — and 6 in 10 at defense/ intelligence agencies — say their agencies don’t have all the tools and resources needed to meet their security objectives

Evolving Threat Landscape

The majority of IT executives believe the threat landscape is evolving quicker than their agencies can respond. More than 6 in 10 agreed if their agency could automate more monitoring and mitigation activities, it would be more secure.

Obstacles and Priorities

Executives are investing most heavily in fiscal 2019 into data and network protection tools and threat intelligence. But more than 3 in 4 agree there’s more that their agency could do to fortify their cyber resilience. They also need help overcoming a talent shortage and conflicting funding priorities.

 

The Study

The survey included more than 100 federal government IT, cybersecurity and mission, business and program executives. All respondents are involved either in identifying IT and network security requirements, evaluating or deciding on solutions and contractors, allocating budgets, or implementing or maintaining cybersecurity solutions. The study was completed in the first quarter of 2018, released May 1st by CyberScoop and FedScoop, and underwritten by RedSeal.

CyberScoop is the leading media brand in the cybersecurity market with more than 350,000 unique monthly visitors and 240,000 daily newsletter subscribers, reporting on news and events impacting technology and top cybersecurity leaders across the U.S.

Download the report, “Closing the gaps in cybersecurity resilience at U.S. Government agencies,” for detailed findings and guidance on how prepared agencies are to continue operating during an attack