Government spyware intended for serious threats is widely misused against journalists, activists, and political opponents. The ease of targeting and lack of accountability allow governments to surveil a broad range of individuals, raising concerns about democracy and civil rights.

The Government Accountability Office (GAO) revealed significant issues with the accuracy and completeness of the US federal government's cybersecurity workforce data, indicating a lack of standard practices and quality assurance across agencies. Despite employing tens of thousands of cybersecurity professionals at a substantial cost, many agencies struggle to accurately determine their workforce size and effectiveness, with concerns raised about the impact on national cybersecurity. The Office of the National Cyber Director has been criticized for inadequate guidance and a lack of action to rectify these issues.