![A Single Point of Failure?](https://cdn.magzter.com/1367307635/1691671494/articles/oYSE8pSXG1691738534220/Microsoft-Defender-State-Commerce-and-Treasury-DoD-National-Defense-Authorization-Act-Cybersecurity.jpg)
The increasing reliance of the federal government on Microsoft software, and in particular the exclusive use of its security tools, is causing heartburn among cyber experts, former officials and some on Capitol Hill, who worry that reliance on a single IT vendor will make the nation more vulnerable to foreign hackers, enemy cyberwarriors and online spies.
Microsoft, by some estimates, already provides 85 percent of the office software (think email, word processing and meetings/collaboration) in the federal government. Now the federal government is moving to use its security tools, too.
Last year, despite internal opposition and criticism from experts, the Department of Defense abandoned one of its longest-running stand-alone cybersecurity program, which multiple vendors competed for, opting instead for Microsoft security tools that the company bundles with its other software-all purchased in a massive, multiyear blanket contract, where the competition, according to government watchdogs, boiled down to a contest between Microsoft resellers.
The risks of this approach were thrown into sharp focus in July, when Microsoft revealed details of a major intrusion in May and June into its customers' cloud Outlook and Office services, which provide email and calendaring software. Microsoft said Chinese hackers were behind the breach, which affected a handful of U.S. government agencies including the State and Commerce Departments. Access to the unclassified email of top officials at those two agencies, as diplomats were planning a slew of summer visits to Beijing by U.S. cabinet leaders including the secretaries of State, Commerce and Treasury, would have given Chinese intelligence invaluable insight and perhaps even leverage, former officials tell Newsweek.
Esta historia es de la edición August 18 - 25, 2023 (Double Issue) de Newsweek US.
Comience su prueba gratuita de Magzter GOLD de 7 días para acceder a miles de historias premium seleccionadas y a más de 9,000 revistas y periódicos.
Ya eres suscriptor ? Conectar
Esta historia es de la edición August 18 - 25, 2023 (Double Issue) de Newsweek US.
Comience su prueba gratuita de Magzter GOLD de 7 días para acceder a miles de historias premium seleccionadas y a más de 9,000 revistas y periódicos.
Ya eres suscriptor? Conectar
![IT'S ALL ABOUT PRIORITIES](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/3257/1754861/21U0GmBEH1720176409527/ITS-ALL-ABOUT-PRIORITIES.jpg)
IT'S ALL ABOUT PRIORITIES
THEY HAPPILY USE THE LABEL \"PRIORITIZERS.\"
!['It Has Taken a Devastating Toll'](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/3257/1754861/TcgZU8M3h1720175719469/IT-HAS-TAKEN-A-DEVASTATING-TOLL.jpg)
'It Has Taken a Devastating Toll'
Financial insecurity is causing a mental health crisis, with nearly two-thirds of Americans saying money matters cause them the most stress
![Biden's European Headache](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/3257/1747170/4FvQ8WOES1719562513315/BIDENS-EUROPEAN-HEADACHE.jpg)
Biden's European Headache
The right-wing surge in the EU elections could hamper the president's ambitions in Ukraine and play into the hands of his election rival, Donald Trump
![Lupita Nyong'o](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/3257/1747170/HHo7ByO2g1719568680966/LUPITA-NYONGO.jpg)
Lupita Nyong'o
THE TRAILER FOR A QUIET PLACE: DAY ONE (JUNE 28) SHOWS STAR LUPITA Nyong'o carrying a cat around moments before New York City is overtaken by aliens.
![AMERICA'S BEST SPECIALISTS & SURGEONS](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/3257/1731949/HkzEW3Pd41718360828089/AMERICAS-BEST-SPECIALISTS-SURGEONS.jpg)
AMERICA'S BEST SPECIALISTS & SURGEONS
FINDING THE BEST MEDICAL SPECIALIST IS A DAUNTING TASK for anyone requiring specific treatment.
![Major League Error](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/3257/1731949/_XsNNACf91718362945421/MAJOR-LEAGUE-ERROR.jpg)
Major League Error
Why baseball fans have long thought Ty Cobb to be a racist when he wasn't
![The TikTok Election](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/3257/1731949/3-iYwLj6T1718362650685/THE-TIKTOK-ELECTION.jpg)
The TikTok Election
With both Donald Trump and Joe Biden now on the app, could it help determine the next U.S. president in November?
![Failure to Deliver](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/3257/1731949/o2PwmZUpx1718362256150/FAILURE-TO-DELIVER.jpg)
Failure to Deliver
Multinational companies embraced Chinese factories to lower costs. Their excessive reliance ended up being a central cause of the COVID supply chain meltdown
![The Fight to Ban Child Marriage](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/3257/1731949/Ku9QrdSw21718361256913/THE-FIGHT-TO-BAN-CHILD-MARRIAGE.jpg)
The Fight to Ban Child Marriage
Under-18s can legally wed in most U.S. states but young spouses are often left physically, emotionally and economically vulnerable, campaigners say
![SURGEONS MAGIC TOUCH](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/3257/1731949/QSdr_8bk31718359587847/SURGEONS-MAGIC-TOUCH.jpg)
SURGEONS MAGIC TOUCH
Americans turn down syringes but go UNDER SCALPELS. What do these doctors know that the rest of medicine doesn't?