A potential government shutdown has raised concerns about the operational capacity of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). A significant number of DHS employees are set to remain on duty during this period, ensuring essential services continue.
Majority of DHS Employees to Work During Government Shutdown
As of September 30, 2025, DHS has implemented its “Procedures Relating to a Lapse in Appropriations” plan. According to this plan, over 91% of personnel, totaling approximately 249,065 employees, will continue to work. However, this leaves around 22,862 staff members facing furlough.
Departments Maintaining Operations
- Customs and Border Protection
- Immigration and Customs Enforcement
- Transportation Security Administration
- U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services
- Coast Guard
- Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA)
At FEMA, 20,975 of its 24,925 personnel will remain in service. Many functions within DHS are considered essential for protecting life and property, contributing to the high retention rate.
Impact on Cybersecurity Operations
An area of concern is the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA), which is set to retain only about one-third of its staff during the shutdown. This translates to around 889 out of 2,540 employees remaining active. CISA has experienced significant staffing reductions in recent months, further complicating its capacity to safeguard national infrastructure.
Deepak Kumar, CEO of cybersecurity firm Adaptiva, highlighted the irony of CISA’s situation coinciding with National Cybersecurity Awareness Month. He noted that the theme aims to protect critical infrastructure, which is paramount as CISA faces workforce reductions.
Legislative and Operational Challenges
Moreover, CISA is confronting challenges tied to the expiration of information-sharing authorities under the Cybersecurity Information Sharing Act of 2015. This legislation, vital for encouraging private sector engagement in cybersecurity efforts, expired on September 30.
The DHS inspector general indicated uncertainty regarding CISA’s Automated Indicator Sharing program due to this expiration. Without a clear plan to move forward, CISA’s ability to share cybersecurity threat information with federal agencies and critical infrastructure partners is at risk.
Conclusion: While the majority of DHS employees will continue to serve during a government shutdown, specific areas, particularly cybersecurity, face significant operational challenges that need urgent attention.
