Microsoft Ends China-based Support For Pentagon Cloud Systems— But Why?

Microsoft has said it is ending the involvement of personnel based in China in providing technical assistance for US Defense Department systems, after a media report raised alarm over foreign access to sensitive military networks.

The move comes after investigative outlet ProPublica reported earlier this week that Chinese engineers were helping maintain Pentagon cloud services, raising serious security concerns. The Pentagon confirmed the issue and announced an internal review to prevent further incidents.

What did Microsoft say about the report?

In response to the revelations, Microsoft issued a statement confirming changes to its support model. “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,” said Frank Shaw, the company’s chief communications officer, in a post on X.

The ProPublica report said engineers in China were working on sensitive systems with only limited oversight from US-based personnel, many of whom lacked the technical expertise required. The report prompted US Senator Tom Cotton to call for an inquiry, sending a letter to Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth on Thursday.

How is the Pentagon responding?

Hegseth addressed the controversy in a video statement on X, saying, “it turns out that some tech companies have been using cheap Chinese labour to assist with DoD cloud services. This is obviously unacceptable, especially in today’s digital threat environment.”

He confirmed that the Department of Defense would now launch a full review of similar contracts across the military. “At my direction, the department will… initiate – as fast as we can – a two-week review, or faster, to make sure that what we uncovered isn’t happening anywhere else across the DoD,” Hegseth said.

What are the broader implications for military cybersecurity?

While there is no indication so far of any breach of sensitive data, the episode raises fresh questions about the oversight of contractors handling defence IT infrastructure, especially in light of rising tensions between the United States and China.

Hegseth acknowledged the broader risks posed by such lapses and said the department would “continue to monitor and counter all threats to our military infrastructure and online networks.” He thanked “all those Americans out there in the media and elsewhere who raised this issue to our attention so we could address it.”