Impacts from the partial government shutdown, now in its record-breaking fourth week, have been keenly felt on the cybersecurity front due to its effects on personnel, partnerships with industry, and the private sector’s own work, industry and former federal officials said.

“Agencies like DHS, the Secret Service, and the FBI are actively involved in cybercrime investigations that impact and benefit the private sector,” said Andrew Howard, global chief technology officer at Kudelski Security. “Fundamentally, the private sector does not need the government for cybersecurity, but the government does play an important role.”