Senator Mark Warner warns that federal agencies’ heavy reliance on software patching could create more problems than it solves, and with billions of internet-connected devices expected on government networks, the situation is only going to get worse.
An estimated 80 percent of the government’s $80 billion annual IT budget goes to operating and maintaining legacy systems. In Warner’s eyes, that money would be better spent investing in the future than retrofitting decades-old technology for the modern day.
While overhauling the federal IT ecosystem can’t be done overnight, Warner said a few minor policy changes could go a long way in strengthening agencies’ cyber posture, such as setting security standards for internet of things. Last year, Warner and Senator Cory Gardner (R-CO) introduced legislation that would require “a de minimis” level of security for all IoT technology purchased by government.