OPM Plans Evaluation of Security Threats Posed by DOGE’s Interaction with Confidential Government Networks
Democratic lawmakers have consistently raised concerns about cybersecurity risks linked to DOGE personnel's reduction of the federal workforce and their potential access to sensitive government systems.
TroibNews 
The Trump administration is beginning to take initial, albeit limited, steps to investigate whether the restructuring of the federal government by the so-called Department of Government Efficiency has led to significant cybersecurity vulnerabilities.
The Office of Personnel Management (OPM), the federal government's human resources agency, is spearheading these efforts following repeated warnings from Democratic lawmakers and security researchers regarding potential security concerns. These issues arise from DOGE's personnel cuts within the federal workforce and the resultant access to sensitive government systems.
Norbert Vint, the deputy inspector general acting in the capacity of OPM inspector general, reached out to House Oversight and Government Reform Committee ranking member Gerry Connolly and other committee Democrats last week, committing to address worries about “potential unauthorized access of government networks and sensitive information.” The actions will involve examining “specific emerging risks at OPM that are related to issues raised” by Connolly and assessing the dangers “associated with new and modified information systems at OPM.”
“We believe that, ultimately, our new engagement will broadly address many of your questions related to the integrity of OPM systems,” Vint noted, although he did not provide further details about this initiative.
The letter, which Connolly made public on Monday, followed concerns raised earlier by him and other prominent House Democrats regarding potential cybersecurity threats to OPM and federal networks due to “unauthorized individuals” accessing sensitive and possibly classified information, alongside inquiries about how federal data could remain private and secure.
In response to Vint’s letter, Connolly expressed hope that the new measures to protect federal networks would be implemented without delay, stating, “Inspectors General must have the independence to carry out their mission free from partisan pressure and threat.”
Mark B Thomas contributed to this report for TROIB News
The Office of Personnel Management (OPM), the federal government's human resources agency, is spearheading these efforts following repeated warnings from Democratic lawmakers and security researchers regarding potential security concerns. These issues arise from DOGE's personnel cuts within the federal workforce and the resultant access to sensitive government systems.
Norbert Vint, the deputy inspector general acting in the capacity of OPM inspector general, reached out to House Oversight and Government Reform Committee ranking member Gerry Connolly and other committee Democrats last week, committing to address worries about “potential unauthorized access of government networks and sensitive information.” The actions will involve examining “specific emerging risks at OPM that are related to issues raised” by Connolly and assessing the dangers “associated with new and modified information systems at OPM.”
“We believe that, ultimately, our new engagement will broadly address many of your questions related to the integrity of OPM systems,” Vint noted, although he did not provide further details about this initiative.
The letter, which Connolly made public on Monday, followed concerns raised earlier by him and other prominent House Democrats regarding potential cybersecurity threats to OPM and federal networks due to “unauthorized individuals” accessing sensitive and possibly classified information, alongside inquiries about how federal data could remain private and secure.
In response to Vint’s letter, Connolly expressed hope that the new measures to protect federal networks would be implemented without delay, stating, “Inspectors General must have the independence to carry out their mission free from partisan pressure and threat.”
Mark B Thomas contributed to this report for TROIB News
