First it was the Dubai Ports World deal. Now it’s Chinese computers. The State Department recently decided not to use Lenovo Group computers on a classified network because of concerns about the company’s ties to the Chinese government. According to computer security experts, however, the State Department’s decision shows a lack of understanding about the global nature of PC manufacturing. Most U.S. computer makers use overseas manufacturing plants, notes James Mulvenon, a Chinese computer warfare expert with the Center for Intelligence Research and Analysis. It’s nearly impossible to make a computer without using foreign-made parts.The State Department’s decision comes after Rep. Frank Wolf (R-Va.) objected to the use of about 900 computers made by Lenovo on a classified network that connects American embassies and consulates. Now, the State Department says it will use Lenovo computers only in unclassified settings.“I was deeply troubled to learn that the new computers were purchased from a China-based company,” says Wolf, chairman of the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Commerce, Justice, State and the Judiciary. “This decision would have had dire consequences for our national security, potentially jeopardizing our investment in a secure IT infrastructure. It is no secret that the United States is a principal target of Chinese intelligence services.” Lenovo is partly owned by the Chinese Academy of Sciences, an arm of the Chinese government, but the company’s headquarters are in the United States. It would be relatively easy for spies to get jobs with computer makers regardless of where a company is based, says Alan Paller, research ¿director at the SANS Institute. Instead of focusing on where computers are manufactured, he says, the government should work on better ¿security for its systems after they are purchased. “We need to do a much better job of looking for hidden back doors in systems,” Paller says.Last year, the federal government conducted a review of Lenovo’s purchase of IBM’s PC business and eventually approved the deal. But in April, members of the government’s U.S.-China Economic and Security Review Committee raised objections to using the Lenovo computers in the classified network. Related content brandpost Sponsored by FPT Software Time for New Partnership Paradigms to Be Future-fit By Veronica Lew Dec 06, 2023 5 mins Vendors and Providers brandpost Sponsored by BMC Why CIOs should prioritize AIOps in 2024 AIOps empowers IT to manage services by incorporating AI/ML into operations. By Jeff Miller Dec 06, 2023 3 mins IT Leadership opinion Generative AI in enterprises: LLM orchestration holds the key to success In the dynamic landscape of AI, LLMs represent a pivotal breakthrough. Unlike traditional AI, which demands frequent data updates, LLMs possess the ability to learn and adapt in real-time. This mirrors human learning and positions LLMs as essential f By Shail Khiyara Dec 06, 2023 10 mins Generative AI Artificial Intelligence brandpost Sponsored by Freshworks How gen AI is joining the holiday shopping season One year after the launch of ChatGPT, the retail industry is embracing generative AI to deliver a variety of benefits By Elliot Markowitz Dec 06, 2023 4 mins Generative AI Podcasts Videos Resources Events SUBSCRIBE TO OUR NEWSLETTER From our editors straight to your inbox Get started by entering your email address below. Please enter a valid email address Subscribe