US Defense Secretary Launches Investigation into Chinese Engineer Access; Microsoft Changes Policy on Supporting Government Systems
In response to emerging national security concerns, the United States Department of Defense has announced a comprehensive review of all contracts involving Chinese engineers working on Pentagon systems. This development highlights escalating issues related to data security and the protection of critical infrastructure in the digital age, especially considering increased cyber activities from China and Russia that threaten American interests. Microsoft, the primary contractor for the U.S. government in cloud technology services, has already announced policy changes to cease engaging Chinese engineers for supporting systems used by the military. This move comes after an investigation by the journalistic organization ProPublica, which uncovered the practices of Chinese specialists working within U.S. defense-related cloud systems and their possible security risks. Following public concerns, Microsoft stated it would no longer employ Chinese personnel to provide technical support for vital government services. According to spokesperson Frank Shaw, these steps are part of broader efforts to enhance cybersecurity and prevent external breaches. Republican Senator Tom Cotton, who leads the Senate Intelligence Committee and is part of the Armed Services Committee, had previously addressed this issue by demanding the Defense Department disclose a list of contractors employing Chinese personnel and their monitoring procedures. In response, Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin announced a two-week review to ensure Chinese engineers are not involved in other cloud-based defense contracts. The Pentagon has declared that, effective immediately, China will no longer be involved in U.S. cloud services, promising increased vigilance against threats from foreign espionage and cyberattacks aimed at undermining national security assets.