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Kentucky’s Contracts with Chinese Government-Owned Technology Vendors
Sensitive Personal and Financial Information is at Risk
Learn More about the Impact in Kentucky
The Problem
Chinese government-owned technology manufacturers, including Lenovo, have been banned by U.S. military and intelligence agencies because of security vulnerabilities. (Read the report)
Who can take action?
Joan Graham, Executive Director of the Kentucky Finance and Administration Cabinet, Office of Procurement Services (OPS), heads the office that serves as the central procurement agency for the Executive branch and smaller divisions of state government once they exceed their small procurement budgets. (Read more)
Stacy Blank, Director of the Division of Technology Services Procurement is a leader in IT procurement in the state of Kentucky. (Read more)
Ruth Day, Chief Information Officer, heads up the Commonwealth Office of Technology and is a member of the Governor’s executive cabinet. (Read more)
What actions have Congressional Leaders taken?
Rep. Brett Guthrie is cosponsor of a bill to “ensure American leadership in emerging technology to beat China and other challenges to global competitiveness.”
(Read more)
Rep. James Comer is concerned about both “dependency [of universities] on foreign funding from adversarial states and the inherent national security risks” and “putting our faith in a corrupt communist regime for essential supplies.” (Read more here and here)
Rep. Andy Barr was appointed to the China Task Force, calling the Chinese Communist Party the “greatest national security challenge to the United States in a generation.” Congressman Barr has also proposed H.R. 7988, the NIST Cyber-Security Act, aiming to protect COVID-19 research conducted at US universities from Chinese attack. (Read more)
Senator Mitch McConnell has been a vocal leader against Chinese actions, stating that a trade deal with the Chinese should not allow market access for government-backed Huawei technologies, calling the company a “national security risk.” (Read more)
Analysis
Despite military and intelligence agency bans, the Kentucky State Government has spent $1,827,362.95 on Lenovo products in recent years. (See the State’s Freedom of Information Act request response here and our summary here.)
Select Vulnerabilities:
The use of banned Chinese government-owned technology vendors by these agencies endangers Kentucky’s personal and financial information.
The Department of Education “partners with districts, schools, families, students, business and industry, and communities to provide leadership and support to ensure success for each and every student.” They have spent $1,020,120.49 on Lenovo equipment.
The Commonwealth Office of Technology “enables a proficient digital government supportive of a 21st century economy by being a trusted and valued business partner.” The Office has spent $709,859.85 on Lenovo equipment.
The Auditor of Public Accounts “acts as a vigorous guardian of taxpayer dollars, providing the accountability, integrity, and leadership for Kentucky to thrive in the 21st century.” They have spent $96,792.62 on Lenovo equipment.