China-linked engineers may have accessed Pentagon systems — Investigation underway
Photo: Pete Hegseth, US Secretary of Defense (Getty Images)
Chinese engineers may have gained access to the US Department of Defense systems. The agency is currently investigating these claims, according to Senator Tom Cotton and Pentagon chief Pete Hegseth on Twitter (X).
Rumors about Chinese engineers
Cotton addressed Hegseth following reports that Microsoft is allegedly hiring engineers in China "to maintain US Department of Defense (DoD) systems."
"(This could) potentially expose our nation’s most sensitive data to a foreign adversary," the senator added.
According to him, Microsoft allegedly relies on US citizens acting as "digital escorts" to monitor the activities of these Chinese engineers. However, these "digital escorts" often lack the necessary technical training or qualifications to identify suspicious activity.
Hegseth's response
The US Secretary of Defense has already responded to the information.
"Agree fully. Our team is already looking into this ASAP. Foreign engineers — from any country, including of course China — should NEVER be allowed to maintain or access DoD systems," he stated.
Cyberattack by Chinese hackers on the US
At the end of last year, Chinese hackers breached the cybersecurity system of the US Department of the Treasury.
They managed to steal "certain non-classified documents."
