What is a significant risk associated with the DoD's procurement of IT products from foreign vendors?

The significant risk associated with the Department of Defense's procurement of IT products from foreign vendors lies in globalization. This process can lead to numerous vulnerabilities, particularly in terms of national security, as it can result in a lack of visibility and control over the supply chain. Globalization means relying on international sources, which could expose the DoD to risks such as cyberattacks, theft of sensitive data, and compromised components that might be backdoored or altered during manufacturing or transit.

In a global supply chain, it becomes increasingly challenging to ensure that all vendors meet stringent security standards and that their products have not been tampered with. This creates a situation where critical defense systems could potentially be jeopardized by malicious actions from foreign entities. Therefore, the globalization of procurement processes emphasizes the need for robust oversight and assurance measures to mitigate these significant risks.