NIST, the National Institute of Standards and Technology, is getting hit hard by the federal government shutdown.
Have you been to the NIST website lately?
We'll save you a click; here is what it looks like now:
The first box on the NIST website says, "NOTICE: Due to a lapse in federal funding, most of this website is not available," followed by additional boxes that end with the words, "Lapse in Appropriations."
The Department of Commerce Lapse Plan says most NIST research activity is on hold until the government dollars start flowing again.
[RELATED: Implementing the NIST Cybersecurity Framework, a SecureWorld PLUS training course offered at every 2019 cybersecurity conference.]
NIST and cybersecurity during the government shutdown
The good news for cybersecurity leaders is that NIST advisories and the National Vulnerability Database are seen as essential services, and so that work continues despite the shutdown. However, the budget battle has reportedly furloughed more than 80% of the NIST workforce.
New cybersecurity agency workers suddenly furloughed
Nearly half of the workers at the brand new Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Agency (CISA) are also furloughed as a result of the U.S. government shutdown.
The CISA web page says, "Due to the lapse in federal funding, this website will not be actively managed. Transactions submitted via this website might not be processed and we will not be able to respond to inquiries until after appropriations are enacted."
[MORE: How the NIST Cybersecurity Framework Maps to Cyber Attacks]
