The US government shutdown is a wake-up call for cyber self-reliance | Computer Weekly

"The ongoing US government shutdown in October 2025 ignited global widespread concern about cyber security vulnerabilities, especially due to the temporary lapse of the Cybersecurity Information Sharing Act (CISA) of 2015, which slowed federal threat intelligence funding. However, the true risk exposed by the shutdown is not the pause in government operations, but rather a clear reminder that effective cyber defence begins within organisations themselves."

"The issue of overreliance on government support is not unique to the US; it should be a global concern. Governments around the world, from the UK to the EU, face financial and operational constraints that can delay their ability to provide timely and adequate cyber support. Remarkably, when the Solorigate/Sunburst incident occurred at SolarWinds in 2020, the American government itself was a victim due to weak internal controls, not a lack of federal alerts."

The US government shutdown in October 2025 created a temporary lapse in the Cybersecurity Information Sharing Act (CISA), slowing federal threat intelligence funding and prompting global concern about cyber vulnerabilities. The shutdown highlighted that effective cyber defence originates inside organisations, not primarily from government action. Organisations must adopt zero-trust identity frameworks, strengthen supply-chain security, and implement proactive threat monitoring to mitigate evolving attacks. Governments can standardise threat intelligence and set regulations but face financial and operational constraints that limit rapid assistance. Historical incidents like Solorigate/Sunburst show governments can be victims; organisational responsibility for cyber security is essential.

Read at ComputerWeekly.com