A recent expos has brought to light allegations that Microsoft may have withheld crucial information from the Department of Defense regarding its employment of Chinese-based personnel.
This revelation has prompted the Pentagon to initiate an investigation into the matter.
According to American Military News, a 2025 security plan obtained by ProPublica indicates that Microsoft, while obligated to submit security plans to the Defense Department detailing how it intends to safeguard government computer systems, failed to disclose the involvement of Chinese-based employees in handling sensitive Pentagon computer systems.
This omission has raised significant concerns about the security of these systems and the potential risks posed by foreign involvement.
As reported by ProPublica, the Defense Department has launched an investigation into technology companies employing foreign nationals to work on sensitive systems following the outlet's report on Microsoft's contentious practices.
The report highlighted Microsoft's use of "digital escorts," which are U.S. personnel with security clearances tasked with overseeing engineers based in foreign countries who work on the Pentagon's cloud systems. This practice has sparked a swift response from the Pentagon, leading to an investigation into the matter.
ProPublica further revealed that Microsoft failed to inform the Defense Department that some employees, who were not vetted to access the Azure Government cloud platform, included foreign nationals residing in other countries. This lack of disclosure has prompted a rapid response and investigation by the Pentagon to address these security concerns.
In a memorandum issued last month, Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth emphasized the importance of securing all information technology capabilities against supply chain attacks from adversaries like China and Russia. He directed the Department of Defense Chief Information Officer, in collaboration with other Under Secretaries, to take immediate action to ensure the security of all IT capabilities, including cloud services, developed and procured for the Department of Defense.
Senator Tom Cotton, chairman of the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence, also expressed his concerns in a letter to Secretary Hegseth. He urged the Defense Department to avoid contracts and oversight processes that fail to account for the increasing threat posed by China.
Cotton stated, "As we learn more about these digital escorts and other unwise and outrageous practices used by some DoD partners, it is clear the Department and Congress will need to take further action. We must put in place the protocols and processes to adopt innovative technology quickly, effectively, and safely."
Hegseth's office informed ProPublica that the Pentagon has concluded its investigation into the use of foreign employees by technology companies. The investigation identified several potential actions the Department could take to address the issue.
The office added, "As with all contracted relationships, the Department works directly with the vendor to address concerns, to include those that have come to light with the Microsoft digital escort process."
This situation underscores the critical need for stringent oversight and security measures in the collaboration between the government and private technology firms, particularly when foreign nationals are involved in sensitive operations. The Pentagon's investigation and subsequent actions will likely shape future protocols to ensure the security and integrity of the nation's defense systems.
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