Lawmaker: If You Think Patching is Tough Now, It’s Going to Get Worse

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.