Microsoft 'escort' program gave China keys to Pentagon
14 days ago
- #microsoft
- #national-security
- #cybersecurity
- Microsoft used Chinese engineers to maintain Pentagon computer systems, raising security concerns.
- Sen. Tom Cotton demanded a list of DOD contractors using Chinese personnel for system maintenance.
- Microsoft announced it would stop using China-based engineers for DOD cloud services after backlash.
- Digital escorts, paid low wages, were tasked with supervising foreign engineers but lacked technical expertise.
- China's state-sponsored hackers have previously infiltrated U.S. systems, including the State Department.
- Microsoft's program allowed sustained foreign access to sensitive defense data under minimal supervision.
- China could weaponize accessed data for economic warfare, disinformation, and strategic disruptions.
- The U.S. could mandate American-only teams for defense-related IT work to improve security.
- Institutional blindness and corporate profit motives have compromised national security.
- Solutions exist but require political will and investment in domestic technical capabilities.