Government agencies face a mounting issue of software vulnerabilities, according to recent research findings.
Government agencies are grappling with the challenges of addressing security debt due to legacy and third-party software vulnerabilities. According to recent findings, it takes an average of 315 days for half of these agencies to resolve half of their software vulnerabilities, compared to the combined public- and private-sector average of 252 days.
The current predicament revolves around outdated technology infrastructure, increasing complexity of software ecosystems, and persistent funding and resource constraints. Cyber experts have raised concerns about the security consequences of extensive budget cuts and job losses at federal agencies.
One key challenge is the dependence on legacy software. Many government agencies rely on old systems that are difficult to update or replace. These systems often lack modern security features and are not designed to withstand contemporary cyber threats, creating significant security debt.
Another issue is the use of third-party software and open-source components, which can introduce vulnerabilities if not properly managed or updated. The complexity and interdependencies increase the risk surface.
Resource and funding limitations are also a significant hurdle. Agencies often have limited budgets and skilled personnel for comprehensive security remediation, including refactoring legacy code or proactively patching third-party components.
The application of updates or replacement of legacy systems risks operational downtime or service disruptions, which agencies are reluctant to risk, perpetuating security debt.
Several solutions are being used or proposed to address these challenges. These include modernization initiatives, security debt assessment frameworks, enhanced third-party risk management, automation, and DevSecOps, increased funding, and legislative focus, and the deployment of compensating controls when immediate fixes are not feasible.
Despite these efforts, approximately 80% of government agencies have software vulnerabilities that have been unaddressed for at least a year. About 55% of agencies have long-standing software flaws that put them at even greater risk.
Organizations lack a process with enough engineering capacity to fix security issues, often prioritizing building more features and functionality over addressing security flaws. Corporate stakeholders are seeking to better understand the risk calculus of their technology stacks, wondering if they are potential targets.
Recent incidents such as the breach of multiple customers of Treasury IT vendor BeyondTrust by state-linked hackers underscore the urgency of addressing these vulnerabilities. The breach occurred using a stolen key designed for cloud-based technical support to launch attacks.
In conclusion, government agency security debt due to legacy and third-party software vulnerabilities presents significant operational and risk management challenges. These challenges are being addressed by modernization, improved risk management, automation, and policy efforts — all requiring a careful balance of risk, cost, and operational continuity amid tight budgets.
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