State department reverses itself on use of Chinese computers
By Sarah Lai Stirland, National Journal's Technology Daily
The chairman of a House Appropriations subcommittee on Thursday highlighted the recent retreat by the State Department from a decision to use Chinese-made computers as part of its global classified network.
"I was deeply troubled to learn that the new computers were purchased from a China-based company and that at least 900 of these computers were planned to be used as part of the classified network deployed in the United States and around the world in embassies and consulates," said Virginia Republican Frank Wolf, who chairs the panel that oversees State's budget.
Wolf decried China for efforts to spy on the United States, as well as its human rights record. He said State's plan to use the 900 computers as part of its classified network posed a security risk.
A State official told Wolf in a letter that its Bureau of Diplomatic Security is "recommending that the computers purchased last fall be utilized on unclassified systems only." The bureau will conduct other security inspections as well, the official wrote.
http://www.govexec.com/story_page.cfm?articleid=34116&dcn=todaysnews
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