Cotton requests info on Microsoft using Chinese engineers to maintain DoD computer systems

Arkansas Republican Sen. Tom Cotton on Thursday sent Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth a letter, requesting information regarding recent reporting that Microsoft uses Chinese engineers to help maintain the Defense Department's computer systems. 

The letter is in response to a ProPublica report that claimed Microsoft uses Chinese engineers, who are overseen by U.S. citizens with security clearances, to maintain the system, which could potentially expose sensitive information to China.

Cotton admitted the arrangement Microsoft made over a decade ago met the legal requirement that U.S. citizens handle sensitive data, but emphasized that the citizens, known as "digital escorts," did not possess the technical skills to properly police foreign engineers with more advanced cyber skills.

“The U.S. government recognizes that China’s cyber capabilities pose one of the most aggressive and dangerous threats to the United States, as evidenced by infiltration of our critical infrastructure, telecommunications networks, and supply chains,” Cotton wrote. “DoD must guard against all potential threats within its supply chain, including from those subcontractors.” 

The senator also asked the Pentagon to provide a list of contractors and subcontractors who hire Chinese engineers and digital escorts by July 31, and any recommendation for closing loopholes in security requirements for government cloud providers.

Misty Severi is a news reporter for Just The News. You can follow her on X for more coverage.