In a controversial move that has raised security concerns, Energy Secretary Chris Wright has granted IT system access to Luke Farritor, a 23-year-old representative from Elon Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), despite objections from senior department officials.
According to sources familiar with the situation, Wright authorized Farritor’s access to the Department of Energy’s (DOE) basic IT systems, including email and Microsoft 365, overriding concerns from the department’s general counsel and chief information offices. The decision was particularly contentious as Farritor, a former SpaceX intern, reportedly had not undergone the standard background investigation typically required for such access.
Department officials expressed significant concerns about the security implications of this decision. “He’s not cleared to be in DOE, on our systems. None of those things have been done,” one source revealed to CNN.
The development comes amid broader changes at the department, including plans to install a SpaceX network security engineer as the DOE’s new chief information officer. Additionally, department employees, including those at the National Nuclear Security Administration, have received “buyout” emails, offering payment through September’s end if they choose to leave their positions.
While Farritor’s access is limited to basic IT systems, the move has sparked debate about security protocols and oversight at one of America’s most sensitive federal departments. The DOE’s chief information office maintains some IT and cybersecurity operations for the National Nuclear Security Administration’s headquarters, though it does not manage systems controlling the nation’s nuclear stockpile.
The Energy Department has not yet responded to requests for comment on this development.
Stay tuned to Newspot Nigeria for updates on this developing news.
Source:CNN
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