Claude Code · Anthropic · AI Agent · Claude · Wired · Pentagon · Wired
A Defense Contractor Gave Their Personal AI Agent Access to a Secure Pentagon System
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Earlier this year, sources tell WIRED, a contractor caused a security incident at the Department of Defense by connecting a secure centralized system used by multiple intelligence agencies to their personal account for Claude Code, Anthropic’s AI coding agent.
Key facts
- The Accenture employee’s AI agent ran on the DOD network for two months before it was identified and the vulnerability could be patched
- It’s 100 percent a national security threat and could cause irreparable harm
- Earlier this year, sources tell WIRED, a contractor caused a security incident at the Department of Defense by connecting a secure centralized system used by multiple intelligence agencies
- A DOD spokesperson tells WIRED that “the Department does not comment on the status of its networks or systems
Summary
The centralized system contains controlled unclassified information (CUI), which is considered sensitive and not to be released to the public without review. “It puts all the data that’s in there at risk,” says a source aware of the incident, who requested anonymity as they were not authorized to speak to the press. A DOD spokesperson tells WIRED that “the Department does not comment on the status of its networks or systems.” “The team take all concerns seriously.