Microsoft Ends China Engineer Support for US Military
- Microsoft will no longer use China-based engineers for U.S. military tech support after a ProPublica report and Pentagon review.
- This move addresses national security concerns.
Microsoft announced Friday it will cease utilizing China-based engineers for technical support on U.S. military cloud computing systems. This decision follows a ProPublica report that raised questions from a U.S. Senator and prompted Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth to order a review of Pentagon cloud contracts.
The investigative report detailed how Microsoft employed Chinese engineers, supervised by U.S. “digital escorts” who often lacked the technical expertise to identify potential cybersecurity threats from the work. Microsoft, a significant contractor for the U.S. government, has previously experienced breaches by Chinese and Russian state-sponsored hackers. The company had stated to ProPublica that it disclosed these practices to the U.S. government during the authorization process for its services.
Policy Shift and Official Responses
Microsoft spokesperson Frank Shaw confirmed on social media that the company revised its support protocols for U.S. government clients “in response to concerns raised earlier this week.” This adjustment ensures that “no China-based engineering teams are providing technical assistance” for services used by the Pentagon. Earlier on Friday, Senator Tom Cotton (pictured), a Republican from Arkansas who chairs the Senate Intelligence Committee, sent a letter to Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth about Microsoft’s reported practices.
Senator Cotton requested a comprehensive list of contractors employing Chinese personnel and further details on the training provided to U.S. “digital escorts” for detecting suspicious activities. The Senator underscored the severe threat posed by China’s cyber capabilities, citing infiltrations of critical infrastructure, telecommunications networks, and supply chains. He emphasized that the U.S. military must safeguard against all potential supply chain threats, including those from subcontractors.
Pentagon’s Immediate Action
In a video shared on social media, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth announced an immediate two-week review to verify that no China-based engineers are involved in any other cloud services contracts across the Department of Defense. Hegseth stated, “I’m announcing that China will no longer have any involvement whatsoever in our cloud services, effective immediately.”
He affirmed the military’s ongoing commitment to monitoring and countering all threats to its infrastructure and online networks. This swift action reflects heightened concerns within the U.S. government regarding potential national security vulnerabilities in its technology supply chain. The move aims to mitigate risks associated with foreign access to sensitive military data and systems.
Broader Implications for Tech and Defense
This development highlights a growing trend of national security concerns influencing procurement and operational decisions within the technology sector, particularly for companies contracting with government entities. The U.S. government’s increased scrutiny of foreign involvement in critical infrastructure and defense systems is a direct response to persistent cyber threats from state-sponsored actors. The incident underscores the complexities of globalized supply chains and the challenges of ensuring cybersecurity.
As tensions rise between major global powers, companies like Microsoft, with vast international operations, face increasing pressure to adapt their internal policies to comply with evolving national security directives. This shift could lead to more localized support teams for sensitive government contracts and greater transparency regarding personnel assignments.
