This is a little confusing. The USDA's website is presumably hosted on some server, so what exactly is preventing it from remaining online?
I mean, the domain is clearly still here, and there's a web page serving that error, so...
I mean, the domain is clearly still here, and there's a web page serving that error, so...
Especially since the USDA receives information from across the country and performs statistical analysis. It would be safer to shutdown the dynamic services rather than let it get hacked. In 4 hours they probably do not have enough time to separate dynamic and static information when they also have to do a backup and a bunch of paperwork.