The sensitive health records of "hundreds of millions of Americans" are at risk, now that the Department of Government Efficiency has purged IT staffers who managed the information at the Department of Health and Human Services, according to new reporting from WIRED.
The cybersecurity infrastructure that protected the information from exposure "is in danger of possible collapse" because many of the staffers let go "were responsible for helping ensure that the mass of highly personal and sensitive information these agencies collect is kept secure," wrote reporter David Gilbert.
Employees who were subject to the reduction in force (RIF) by Elon Musk's DOGE told WIRED "that without intervention, they believe the systems they managed could go dark, potentially putting the entire health care system at risk."
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One source told the publication, “Pretty soon, within the next couple of weeks, everything regarding IT and cyber at the department will start to operationally reach a point of no return."
Gilbert wrote that the sources he spoke with "differed on exactly when and how the IT and cybersecurity infrastructure at the department might collapse," but "they all agreed that without a radical intervention in the coming weeks, the fallout could be catastrophic."
In addition, current HHS employees "say they have not been presented with a plan to remedy the looming crisis, and have seen no leadership from either the political appointees or DOGE operatives who have been installed at HHS."
An HHS spokesperson told WIRED that the reports are unfounded, saying, "The suggestion that critical IT and cybersecurity functions at HHS are being left unsecured is simply untrue. Essential operations at HHS, including contract management and cybersecurity oversight—remain staffed and functional. It’s unfortunate that some former employees are spreading unfounded rumors. HHS remains committed to a secure, modernized HHS that serves the American people, not internal bureaucracy."