Virginia Congressman Highlights IT, Cybersecurity Shutdown Challenges

Virginia Rep. James Walkinshaw highlighted the ongoing challenges facing federal IT and cybersecurity efforts amid the government shutdown during a media roundtable Thursday at the Professional Services Council Defense Conference.

Walkinshaw noted how the shutdown is layered on top of broader trends in federal technology, including contract cancellations and workforce reductions. He cited $20 billion in canceled contracts nationwide this year, with $2.3 billion in his own district that comprises a high level of federal workers.

“Innovation in the federal government is paused during a shutdown,” he said. “Given the speed at which our adversaries around the globe — state and non-state actors — are innovating, a pause is a setback.”

He pointed to recent staffing changes at the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) being emblematic of structural pressures on federal cybersecurity operations.

“There are still good people at CISA doing their best with limited resources, but they’re short-staffed and under resourced — especially during shutdown [furloughs],” he said.

On the ongoing shutdown, “reopening is the first step,” he said. “But we also need a shift in how the administration views the federal workforce.”

He added that Congress needs to agree on budgets to support government IT innovation, strengthen cybersecurity and modernize agency systems.

“There are opportunities for cooperation,” he added. “We just need to get back to work.”

Future of Cybersecurity in Focus

Walkinshaw succeeded Rep. Gerry Connolly after Connolly’s death earlier this year. Connolly co-sponsored the Federal Information Technology Acquisition Reform Act, which established rules for the ways that agencies buy, manage and use technology.

Walkinshaw, also Connolly’s former chief of staff, outlined his efforts to advance a federal IT modernization scorecard that promotes responsible AI adoption and strengthens cybersecurity posture.

“I’m working on a modernized modernization scorecard for federal IT that drives AI adoption in a safe and responsible way, but takes advantage of the efficiencies and savings that the federal government can achieve via AI adoption, improving our cybersecurity posture and making sure that agencies are modernizing their systems so they’re staying one step ahead of the cybersecurity threats,” he said.

Walkinshaw urged for bipartisan cooperation on these issues. He stressed the need for both talent and technology at agencies. “If you want to succeed, you have to have good people and good technology,” he said.