I am the CEO of an endpoint management firm, and it's baffling how often governments overlook unsecured devices

Date:
Fri, 22 Aug 2025 08:46:28 +0000

Description:
Efficiency efforts create security holes as devices end up lost, but credentials remain active.

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In March, the US Agency for International Development (USAID) employees faced abrupt dismissal by the newly formed Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE). This agency-on-agency downsizing left many employees in security
limbo without jobs but with access to government-issued devices.

There was no immediate revocation of endpoint credentials, remote lockouts,
or retrieval of the hardware and its crucial data. The agency doesnt even
know how to turn off access to the systems for everyone on administrative leave, said a former deputy administrator.

While unintended, these abrupt public service cuts created endpoint and cybersecurity holes. USAID manages sensitive geopolitical information and yet there was no reliable mechanism to de-provision devices.

This situation highlights a common weakness across federal agencies device footprints are often large and poorly administered, thereby turning every endpoint into a potential backdoor.

This just isnt good enough. Lets look at what every government agency
requires to better manage, monitor, and protect its endpoints. Dont let ghost devices haunt public sector networks

First, cuts without security planning exacerbate the problem of ghost
devices: endpoints that disappear without proper offboarding end up as
unknown and unseen attack vectors. These invisible laptops , phones , and tablets across government networks become much more likely when endpoints
take a backseat to efficiency.

Unfortunately, agencies solely focused on the budget bottom line often fail
to invest in systems that precisely show what devices are on the network, which are active, and whos using them. Not having this kind of information creates a security headache and inefficiency in the race to efficiency.

When restructuring happens overnight, endpoint management strategies help agencies maintain control even when human resources processes are chaotic.
The last thing admins want is to manually track down endpoints by relying on spreadsheets , email trails, or someones memory.

If efficiency is the goal, agencies should recognize that dealing with lost
or compromised endpoints is ultimately more expensive and embarrassing than investing in proper mobile device management (MDM) from the start. Dont wait for trouble to call IT

Likewise, with no forcing function or endpoint system in place, response
times suffer. The period between when devices go missing or when users leave their positions and admins step in is vital. But understaffed and under-resourced IT teams can create dangerous lags. In this window, bad
actors can crack devices to copy files, exploit credentials, and intercept sensitive communications.

If a unified endpoint management solution had been in place at USAID, it wouldve been significantly easier and faster to account for each device even after the dismissals. Access could have been revoked remotely and the data wiped clean a win for cybersecurity that sidestepped the ensuing bad press.

Another good way to avoid this scenario is by controlling who can access what data and when. This is possible with access and identity management
platforms, and most effective when coupled with zero trust. This principle ensures that no device or user is inherently trusted and creates additional security layers that verify each access attempt. This way, even if a device falls through administrative cracks, these systems in concert limit the
damage by preventing unauthorized access.

To be truly efficient, government networks need to shift from reactive to proactive postures. This means automated alerts when devices go offline in unusual circumstances, geolocation tracking, remote locking capabilities, and emergency wiping protocols. Whether devices are halfway around the world or down the hall, giving admins these powers goes a long way to nipping live threats in the bud.

Ironically, this approach actually maximizes the value of government technology investments throughout their lifecycle and helps achieve the
stated desire for public sector efficiency. Dont let good tech die young

Government efficiency initiatives often focus on headcount when significant savings can be found in the total cost of tech ownership. The federal government spends almost four times more on technology per employee than
other industries. Agencies can lower this figure by improving how they recondition endpoints and return them to the frontlines.

Effective endpoint management creates genuine efficiency by allowing agencies to remotely reset laptops and redeploy them with fresh policies. As a result, rather than premature retirement, admins and agencies can extend hardware lifecycles for substantial savings. This approach also advances
sustainability goals and addresses equity gaps when properly wiped devices
are redeployed to underserved agencies or programs.

Going forward, the public sector must think holistically about what its cutting. Decision-makers must consider both the human cost thousands of careers disrupted and institutional knowledge lost and the technical implications of such rapid workforce changes. Frank discussions with admins about how these decisions affect the broader ecosystem are therefore essential.

Letting people go while ignoring their device access and data security is unacceptable. Agencies need both protocols and platforms to ensure devices
can be remotely managed and appropriately reassigned. Improved endpoint management wont solve every challenge in the public sector, but it can help put agencies back in control of their devices and destiny.

We've featured the best endpoint protection software .

This article was produced as part of TechRadarPro's Expert Insights channel where we feature the best and brightest minds in the technology industry today. The views expressed here are those of the author and are not necessarily those of TechRadarPro or Future plc. If you are interested in contributing find out more here: https://www.techradar.com/news/submit-your-story-to-techradar-pro



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