The Defense Department‘s Joint Staff has warned against the use of equipment such as computers and handheld devices from China-based manufacturer Lenovo due to concerns over cyber spying on Pentagon networks, The Washington Free Beacon reported Monday.
Bill Gertz writes a J-2 intelligence directorate report stated cybersecurity officials have discussed how Lenovo devices could lead to the integration of compromised hardware into the DoD supply chain and bring cyber espionage risks.
The report also tackled alleged attempts from Lenovo to acquire U.S. information technology companies in a push to gain access to classified DoD and military information networks.
DoD’s concerns follows previous warnings from the Air Force Cyber Command, Department of Homeland Security and several lawmakers on the risks of using technologies made by companies associated with the Chinese government, Gertz reports.
The state research institute Chinese Academy of Science has a 27-percent stake in Lenovo Group.
The National Security Agency has previously linked China to cyber spying reports against the Pentagon as well as U.S. and foreign defense contractors, the report noted.