‘Suspended animation’: U.S. government upheaval has frayed partnerships with critical infrastructure

The Trump administration’s chaotic overhaul of the federal government has seriously weakened the public-private partnerships that protect U.S. critical infrastructure from cyberattacks and physical disasters.

Massive workforce cuts, widespread mission uncertainty and a persistent leadership void have interrupted federal agencies’ efforts to collaborate with the businesses and local utilities that run and protect healthcare facilities, water treatment plants, energy companies and telecommunications networks, according to interviews with 14 representatives of those four critical infrastructure sectors, four former senior government cybersecurity officials and multiple infrastructure security experts.