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Pennsylvania’s Contracts with Chinese Government-Owned Technology Vendors
Sensitive Personal and Financial Information is at Risk
Learn More about the Impact in Pennsylvania
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?
Janice Pistor, Chief Procurement Officer, who is responsible for managing commodity teams procuring energy, professional services, operational and facilities supplies and services, transportation-related materials, vehicles, and equipment. (Read more)
John MacMillan, Deputy Secretary for Information Technology and Chief Information Officer, who leads the state of Pennsylvania’s information technology and cybersecurity offices and efforts. (Read more)
What actions have Congressional Leaders taken?
Senator Bob Casey Jr. called upon the Securities and Exchange Commission to protect US investors in Chinese IPO’s and also called for sanctions on China after he said the nation “failed to prevent nuclear equipment from being sold to Iran.” (Read more)
Senator Pat Toomey called on the Chinese government to end cyber espionage in the United States, stating in a letter to the Chinese Ambassador to the United States that such actions evoke “shock” and “outrage.” (Read more)
Congressman Scott Perry stated that not only tariffs on Chinese goods are necessary, sanctions and punishments for actions by the malign actor are long overdue. (Read more)
Congressman John Joyce partnered with Adam Kinzinger to release a statement saying, “Communist China puts our technology and safety at risk every day.” Referring to more than 1,100 cases of Chinese technology theft, the Representative stated that Chinese government actions are “targeting intellectual property, state secrets and personal information.” (Read more)
Analysis
Despite military and intelligence agency bans, the Pennsylvania State Government has spent $491,434.20 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 Pennsylvania’s personal and financial information.
The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDot) is charged with managing the state’s critical infrastructure, including highways, urban and rural public transportation, airports, railroads, ports, and waterways. They spent $440,397.00 on Lenovo equipment.
The Office of Administration – Information Technology division is responsible for maintaining state IT networks and infrastructuredivision is responsible for maintaining state IT networks and infrastructure. They spent $51,037.20 on Lenovo equipment.