Despite several recent incidents, including a Chinese threat actor compromising the email accounts of several high-ranking government officials hosted by Microsoft, the Pentagon has said it will continue to use the company’s services.
A letter from two US senators to Defense Department CIO John Sherman said the Pentagon is “doubling down” on Microsoft, which has caused “serious concerns.”
Microsoft is currently under investigation for the breach, with the Cyber Safety Review board suggesting that the breach was the result of a “cascade of failures” on Microsoft’s part.
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U.S. Senators Eric Schmitt (R-MO) and Ron Wyden (D-OR) said in their letter (PDF) that the Pentagon was continuing with its “failed strategy to increase its dependence on Microsoft, at a time when Congress and the administration are addressing cybersecurity shortcomings that led to a massive hack of senior US officials’ communications .”
“The Department of Defense is one of the largest purchasers of cybersecurity services. Through its purchasing power, DoD strategies and standards have the power to shape business strategies that result in more resilient cybersecurity services,” the letter continued.
The letter further highlighted senators’ concerns about increasing dependence on Microsoft, rather than a diversified approach that “would result in greater competition, lower long-term costs, and better cybersecurity outcomes.”
Earlier this year, a DoD contractor was hacked by an IntelBroker, which stole a significant amount of personal information related to the Five Eyes intelligence alliance.
Through The register