Government Efficiency Employees, led by Elon Musk, have gained unlimited access to federal networks, causing serious concerns among IB specialists. According to sources, DOGE employees were able to connect computers with unknown security measures to the US Personnel Service network (OPM), potentially opening access to federal government data, including biographical data checks and classified information.
Experts warn that the access of DOGE employees to the payment systems of the Department of the Treasury poses a threat to national security. These systems store data on payments to intelligence contractors, as well as personal information of senior officials. Former US Cyber Employee Jason Kikta stated that this situation could result in the “largest data leak in state history” with repercussions lasting for decades.
Furthermore, DOGE officials have gained access to the US Agency for International Development (USAID) and the Ministry of Education. Questions have been raised about the composition of the agency, as six young individuals without government agency experience are among DOGE’s leaders.
The extent of penetration by DOGE employees into federal department systems is still unclear, but Kikta emphasizes that data is being accessed through “unauthorized means, on unauthorized devices, and involving unknown individuals.” Experts note that the federal government has spent years building robust data protection mechanisms, and bypassing them is an unacceptable breach. IB experts caution that Elon Musk’s involvement does not guarantee the security of these systems.
The danger is heightened by the possibility of potential attackers, including foreign states and cybercriminal groups, exploiting vulnerabilities created by DOGE employees. For instance, China targeted OPM data in 2015, accessing 22.1 million records. Kikta highlighted that even connecting to public Wi-Fi in a cafe could expose a vulnerability to attacks.
Additional risks stem from the potential storage of classified data by DOGE employees on non-secure computers. IB specialists warned that this circumvents cybersecurity mechanisms developed over decades. Federal networks adhere to NIST 800 series standards, and violating these norms introduces uncontrolled vulnerabilities.