Budget cuts at the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) could leave critical parts of the U.S. more vulnerable to cyberattacks, according to Claroty’s public sector lead Jen Sovada. Writing for Federal News Network, Sovada pointed out that reductions in CISA’s staffing and funding are already straining the agency’s ability to provide frontline services like vulnerability scanning, technical assessments, and incident response. These resources are often the only line of defense for underfunded organizations such as rural hospitals or municipal utilities, which lack in-house cyber expertise.
Sovada warned that without sustained investment, the resilience gap between well-funded institutions and resource-poor communities will widen. She also emphasized that cutting CISA staff weakens private-public partnerships, which are crucial for rapid threat detection and coordinated responses. In some cases, industry contacts critical to joint planning have gone unreplaced, leaving gaps in readiness. With adversaries like China-linked Volt Typhoon and other state-backed groups steadily targeting U.S. infrastructure, Sovada argues that public-private collaboration is no longer optional—it’s the only way to ensure the country can withstand evolving cyber threats.
Layoffs: Interior Department
The Interior Department is preparing for another round of workforce cuts, setting the stage for what could be one of the most sweeping reductions in its history. After months of uncertainty and delays, officials are finalizing reduction-in-force (RIF) lists, with layoffs expected to begin as early as mid-October. If carried out, the cuts could bring total staffing losses to more than a third of the department’s workforce since 2017.
Interior has already lost thousands of workers through voluntary retirement and resignation programs, while still being tasked with keeping national parks open, approving energy leases, and supporting critical land management work. Behind the scenes, political appointees are still reshaping job series and organizational charts, even as rank-and-file employees brace for decisions that could reshape the agency for years to come.
Hiring: U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP)
U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) is making a major push to expand its workforce, rolling out hiring incentives worth up to $30,000 for certain positions. Border Patrol agents, CBP officers, and Air and Marine Interdiction agents are among those eligible for the boosted recruitment perks, with incentives ranging from lump-sum bonuses to salary percentages depending on assignment location.
The agency is leaning on multiple hiring authorities to streamline recruitment, from direct-hire pathways for law enforcement roles to specialized programs for veterans, military spouses, and individuals with disabilities. CBP is also highlighting opportunities beyond the front lines, with careers in trade enforcement, investigations, cybersecurity, and more. With competitive salaries, overtime opportunities, federal benefits, and enhanced retirement options, the push underscores CBP’s effort to fill mission-critical roles at a time when demand for border security and trade enforcement remains high.
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Opportunity to Watch
The National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency (NGA) officially opened its long-anticipated St. Louis campus on September 26, marking a major milestone for both the agency and the region. The $1.7 billion facility is designed as a modern, collaborative hub to support NGA’s evolving intelligence mission, bringing together cutting-edge technology, flexible workspaces, and community partnerships.
At the ribbon-cutting, NGA Director VADM Frank Whitworth was joined by senior leaders including DNI Tulsi Gabbard, Missouri Governor Mike Kehoe, and members of Congress. The event underscored how much planning and investment has gone into making the new campus not only a cornerstone of national security but also a driver for local innovation. Anchored at Jefferson and Cass Avenues, the site cements St. Louis’ role as a growing hub for geospatial research and development, linking government, academia, and private industry.
Employees are set to begin transitioning into the new headquarters this winter, with full occupancy expected by spring 2026. Once fully operational, the campus will give NGA’s workforce access to state-of-the-art resources to keep delivering the geospatial intelligence that supports warfighters, policymakers, and emergency responders worldwide.
