Microsoft Halts Technical Support from China-Based Engineers for US Defense Clients
On Friday, Microsoft made a significant announcement indicating that its engineers located in China will no longer provide technical assistance to US military and defense clients utilizing the company’s cloud services. This strategic decision comes in response to growing concerns regarding potential security risks associated with foreign engineers working on sensitive government projects.
Frank Shaw, the Chief Communications Officer at Microsoft, addressed the issue on X, stating, “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.“This statement reflects the company’s commitment to enhancing security measures for its government clients.
Background of the Controversy
The report from ProPublica triggered this controversy, highlighting that engineers in China were indeed providing support for US defense clients. Microsoft countered these allegations by asserting that its engineers and contractors operate within the bounds of US government regulations.
Compounding the issue, the engineers in China were reportedly managed by what are termed “digital escorts”positioned in the US. These escorts are described as being less technically proficient than their Chinese counterparts, raising red flags about their ability to assess potential cyber threats posed by the engineers they supervise.
Political Response
In response to these developments, Senator Tom Cotton reached out to Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, demanding clarity on the training protocols for these “digital escorts”and requesting a comprehensive list of contractors employing Chinese personnel. Cotton’s letter emphasized the seriousness of China’s cyber capabilities, describing them as “one of the most aggressive and dangerous threats to the United States.”He pointed to instances of infiltration concerning critical infrastructure and telecommunications networks.
Pentagon’s Immediate Actions
In a video statement shared on X, Secretary Hegseth expressed his disapproval, labeling the situation as “obviously unacceptable.”He initiated a two-week review of all Pentagon cloud contracts to guarantee that “China will no longer have any involvement whatsoever in our cloud services, effective immediately.”Hegseth attributed the current predicament to “A legacy system created over a decade ago, during the Obama administration.”
Related Developments in Cloud Services
It’s worth noting that in 2022, Microsoft, along with Amazon, Google, and Oracle, was awarded a substantial $9 billion contract to provide cloud services for the Department of Defense. This ongoing scrutiny highlights the complexities and critical nature of defense partnerships in an era where cybersecurity threats are increasingly prevalent.
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