Microsoft Audited US House Of Representatives After Massive Hacking By China And Russia

Microsoft President Brad Smith (photo: x @BradSmi)

JAKARTA - Microsoft President Brad Smith testified before the US House of Representatives' Homeland Security panel on Thursday, June 13 to answer questions about the company's security practices after Russian and Chinese hackers broke into their systems over the past year.

Hackers linked to China stole 60,000 US State Department emails last year by hacking the tech giant's system. Meanwhile, the Russian group spyed on Microsoft's senior staff email earlier this year, according to the company's disclosure.

In a "pedas" report in April, the Cyber Security Review Council - formed by US Secretary of Homeland Security Alejandro Mayorkas - condemned Microsoft for its lack of transparency over China's hacking, which the council said could be prevented.

"Because this is not the first time Microsoft has been a victim of a cyberattack that can be avoided, and given the CSRB report, it is now the responsibility of Congress to examine Microsoft's response to this report," said a member of Congress Mark Green of Mississippi.

"Mr Smith, as a key leader who has been in Microsoft for a long time, I anticipate that you will help us understand the loopholes that allow for this latest Cyber intrusion," he added.

After receiving criticism from the council, Microsoft said it was working to improve its process and implement stricter security standards. In November, the company launched a new cybersecurity initiative aimed at anticipating "scale increases and high risk of cyber attacks."

"At this point, we make security a top priority in Microsoft, above all else - exceeding all other features," the company said.