Funding and legal constraints are preventing the Department of Homeland Security from implementing a continuous monitoring initiative to secure government networks, Federal News Radio reported Friday.Jason Miller writes Suzanne Spaulding, acting undersecretary for DHS’Â National Protection and Programs Directorate, testified before the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee Wednesday on the cybersecurity program.
Prior to the panel hearing, Spaulding told senators in a letter that sequestration has forced DHS to reduce the number of devices covered under the continuous monitoring program.
DHS awarded 17 spots on a blanket purchase agreement last month,  covering more than 20 technologies intended to fight cyber threats.
Congress provided DHS $183 million to implement the continuous diagnosis and mitigation effort, according to the report.
A DHS official said in an email obtained by the radio station the law does not require the agency to pay for the program’s implementation at the Defense Department, Central Intelligence Agency and the Office of the Director of National Intelligence.
