Funding Gaps and Staffing Shortages Hinder Government Cybersecurity Initiatives

• •Only 33% of government cybersecurity programs are fully funded.
• •63% of respondents cite budget limitations as a primary obstacle.
• •55% report a fully implemented strategy, but only 22% can execute it at scale.

The 2026 Cybersecurity Readiness in Government Survey by SANS Institute reveals that only one in three government cybersecurity programs is fully funded. 63% of respondents cite budget limitations as their primary obstacle, impacting their ability to address evolving cyber threats. Outdated infrastructure and slow procurement processes further complicate the integration of security tools. More than half of the surveyed organizations struggle to recruit and retain qualified cybersecurity professionals. While 55% report having a fully implemented strategy, only 22% feel capable of executing it at scale. The survey highlights a significant gap between having a cybersecurity plan and the capacity to implement it effectively. Security leaders are urged to focus on workforce development, automation, and technology integration to improve their defenses.