Microsoft has recently announced a significant policy shift: the company will no longer employ engineers based in China to provide technical support for the U.S. Department of Defense's (DoD) cloud computing systems. This decision follows an investigative report by ProPublica that raised concerns about national security vulnerabilities associated with the involvement of Chinese engineers in maintaining sensitive military data.
The ProPublica investigation revealed that Microsoft had been utilizing engineers located in China to assist with the upkeep of the DoD's cloud infrastructure. These engineers operated under the supervision of U.S.-based personnel known as "digital escorts." However, it was found that these escorts often lacked the technical expertise necessary to effectively monitor the work of their Chinese counterparts, potentially exposing critical military systems to cyber threats. (propublica.org)
In response to the report, Microsoft's Chief Communications Officer, Frank Shaw, stated, "In response to concerns raised earlier this week about US-supervised foreign engineers, Microsoft has made changes to our support for US Government customers to assure that no China-based engineering teams are providing technical assistance for DoD Government cloud and related services." (nbcchicago.com)
This policy change primarily affects Microsoft's Azure cloud services division, which analysts estimate generates more than 25% of the company's revenue. The decision underscores Microsoft's commitment to enhancing the security of its services, especially those utilized by U.S. government agencies.
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has also addressed the issue, announcing a two-week review to ensure that no China-based engineers are involved in any other cloud services contracts across the Defense Department. He emphasized, "Foreign engineers—from any country, including of course China—should NEVER be allowed to maintain or access DoD systems." (nbcchicago.com)
This development highlights the ongoing challenges in balancing globalized tech operations with stringent national security requirements. It also reflects a broader trend of scrutinizing foreign involvement in critical infrastructure to mitigate potential cybersecurity risks.
Source: breitbart.com Microsoft Claims It Will Stop Using Chinese Engineers to Maintain Critical Pentagon Systems
