Lessons Learned from the FEMA/CBP Breach

TraitWare: Phishing-Resistant, Passwordless MFA for Government Systems

October is Cybersecurity Awareness Month, a time to reflect on recent breaches and the lessons they teach us. 

Just this June, FEMA and CBP suffered a major compromise when attackers exploited stolen login credentials to access FEMA’s Citrix Virtual Desktop Infrastructure.

The fallout was severe:

  • Sensitive DHS data was exfiltrated
  • Operations were disrupted
  • More than two dozen FEMA IT staff were dismissed

The Root Problem? Passwords.

👉 85% of cyberattacks exploit stolen or phished credentials
👉 $10.5 trillion — the projected annual global cost of cybercrime by 2025

Why TraitWare?

TraitWare eliminates the very problem exploited in the FEMA/CBP attack — passwords.

  • Citrix-Ready Partner — We secure the same systems hackers targeted
  • No Passwords. Ever. — Removes credential theft risk from onboarding through recovery
  • Patented Technology — 10 U.S. patents cover our trait-based, device-bound MFA
  • Phishing-Resistant — Meets and exceeds CISA’s gold standard for strong authentication
  • Proven & Scalable — Deployed across industries, ready for federal environments

How It Works

  • Device-Bound Authentication: Keys tied to each user’s authorized device
  • Trait-Based Factors: Biometrics, behavior, and device signals ensure 1-in-300B uniqueness
  • No Shareable Secrets: Nothing to phish, steal, or reuse
  • Seamless UX: Fast login, reduced IT support overhead

Strategic Impact for Government Systems

  • Prevents the kind of credential misuse seen in FEMA/CBP
  • Secures VDI, cloud, and legacy apps without friction
  • Reduces cyber insurance and compliance risks
  • Strengthens supply-chain resilience for critical infrastructure

🚨 Cybersecurity Awareness Month is a reminder: Passwords are no longer just inconvenient — they’re a national security liability.

TraitWare is ready to:

  • Launch pilot programs across DHS and other high-risk agencies
  • Provide technical briefings for cybersecurity leaders
  • Deliver immediate protection against credential-based threats