Priya PatelTLDR:
- Former White House cyber policy director AJ Grotto labels Microsoft as a national security threat due to their control over IT within the US federal government
- Grotto highlights Microsoft’s lack of incentives to make systems safer and their dominance in government software and operating systems
In a recent interview, former White House cyber policy director AJ Grotto expressed concerns over Microsoft’s dominance in the US federal government, labelling the tech giant as a national security threat. Grotto highlighted Microsoft’s control over IT within the government, pointing out their lack of incentives to prioritize system security and safety.
Grotto mentioned that even slight concessions from Microsoft have been a challenge to secure, citing instances like the SolarWinds breach, where Microsoft was slow to provide logging capabilities to federal agencies. This delay made it difficult for agencies to identify their exposure to the breach, emphasizing Microsoft’s leverage and their reluctance to make necessary security improvements.
The interview shed light on Microsoft’s revenue from security services, amounting to around $20 billion last year, further illustrating their control and influence in government IT operations. Grotto also raised concerns about security breaches by foreign actors, such as Chinese and Russian cyber operatives, compromising US government emails through Microsoft products.
Considering that a significant portion of US government productivity software and operating systems are controlled by Microsoft, Grotto emphasized the need for encouraging competition and scrutinizing Microsoft publicly. By generating awareness and incentivizing market alternatives, Grotto believes there can be stronger pressure on Microsoft to prioritize security and address national security concerns.
