The entire Pentagon defense technology is resigning, putting US at huge risk
of cyberattacks

Date:
Wed, 16 Apr 2025 13:42:00 +0000

Description:
The Defense Digital Service is being pressured to close by Elon Musk's DOGE.

FULL STORY ======================================================================
- Elon Musk's DOGE has pressured a key Pentagon program to close
- The Defense Digital Service will cease operating by May 2025
- Staff have said the only reason they are leaving is DOGE

Elon Musks Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) has sent a key US government program focused on efficiency, innovation, and Silicon
Valley-style quick tech fixes packing.

Almost all of the staff for the Defense Digital Service (DSS) have confirmed they are resigning as a result of DOGE pressure, with many of the DSS responsibilities to be taken over by the Chief Digital and Artificial Intelligence Office.

The DSS has been a key source of innovation and new tech adoption at the Pentagon for the past decade, introducing numerous tech remedies during the
US withdrawal from Afghanistan and Ukrainian aid transferal programs.

DOGE ditches DSS

Of the 14 employees that make up the DSS office, 11 are planning to take
Trumps deferred resignation package by the end of April. DSS Director
Jennifer Hay is planning on leaving by May 1, with the two remaining
employees planning to resign also.

One of the DSS main responsibilities was to introduce fast track technology during national security incidents to help the Pentagon to quickly react to developing situations.

While DSS responsibilities will be passed on to another department, it is unclear how long it will take for the Chief Digital and Artificial
Intelligence Office to assume DSS responsibilities - potentially putting the security of the Pentagon at risk.

Many within the DSS office were expecting to be a part of DOGEs efforts to enhance the efficiency of the Pentagon and introduce new AI technologies, however they were passed over by Musk, with Hay stating The reason we stuck
it out as long as we have is that we thought we were going to be called in.

According to Politico , there were existing issues within the program ranging from political infighting to hiring freezes, but every employee at the DSS
said that they wouldnt be leaving if not for DOGE. The best way to put it, I think, is either we die quickly or we die slowly, Hay added.

This isnt the first modernization and innovation program to face the axe
under DOGE, with the US Digital Service and the 18F program both being
subject to firings and layoffs under pressure from DOGE.

A former Pentagon official who spoke to Politico under subject of anonymity commented on DOGEs foray into improving the efficiency of the Defense Department, stating, Theyre not really using AI, theyre not really driving efficiency. What theyre doing is smashing everything.

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Link to news story: https://www.techradar.com/pro/security/the-entire-pentagon-defense-technology- is-resigning-putting-us-at-huge-risk-of-cyberattacks

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