As cyber threats grow more sophisticated, the Department faces ongoing challenges in protecting sensitive data, critical infrastructure, and mission-essential operations. Federal mandates, such as the requirement to adopt zero trust architecture (ZTA), aim to strengthen security by enforcing rigorous identity verification and limiting implicit trust within systems. While the Department has made progress in areas like identity management and incident detection, full implementation of ZTA requires sustained coordination across bureaus and continued investment in core IT security capabilities.
Annual evaluations under the Federal Information Security Modernization Act (FISMA) assess the maturity of federal agencies’ cybersecurity programs. Despite some improvement, the Department’s program continues to fall short of the effectiveness threshold, with ongoing deficiencies in multifactor authentication, vulnerability remediation, and risk management. These foundational gaps not only hinder compliance with federal standards but also delay progress toward modern security models like ZTA.
OIG remains focused on assessing the Department’s cybersecurity posture, identifying weaknesses, and promoting actions to strengthen its ability to prevent, detect, and respond to cyber threats.
