DHS Operations to Continue During Government Shutdown

Why this matters: A government shutdown could disrupt essential services and impact national security. The significant reduction in CISA staff, in particular, poses risks to cybersecurity during a period of heightened awareness.

The DHS has outlined procedures to maintain essential operations during a government shutdown. Most frontline staff, including those at Customs and Border Protection (CBP), Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), the Transportation Security Administration (TSA), and the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), will continue working. These activities are deemed "necessary to protect life and property."

However, back-office functions and policy-related activities are likely to face furloughs. The Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) will be particularly affected, with only about one-third of its staff retained. This reduction occurs during Cybersecurity Awareness Month, highlighting the potential vulnerability of the nation’s digital infrastructure.

The shutdown also coincides with the expiration of information sharing authorities under the Cybersecurity Information Sharing Act of 2015, further complicating CISA’s ability to protect against cyber threats. The DHS Inspector General has warned that the future of CISA’s Automated Indicator Sharing program is uncertain, which could hinder the sharing of cyber threat information among partners.

How to Prepare:

Who This Affects Most:

Border security operations will continue, but frontline employees may be working without pay.

CISA will face significant staffing reductions, potentially increasing cybersecurity risks.

CBP, ICE, TSA, and FEMA are among the agencies that will continue most operations.

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