The sensitive information systems and physical security of some federal facilities could be vulnerable to threats based on their location in foreign-owned buildings, according to a report released by the Government Accountability Office.
Reviewing the ownership of General Services Administration leased space, the GAO found high-security offices for multiple agencies — including six FBI field offices and three Drug Enforcement Administration field offices — within commercial real estate leased from foreign-owned entities. These building owners include companies in China, Canada, Israel, the United Kingdom, Germany, South Korea and Japan.
GAO assessed 1,406 high-security leases and was unable to determine ownership of one-third. Of the buildings with property owners identified, GAO determined nine out of 14 agencies did not know they occupied foreign-owned infrastructure, which could present increased espionage, cyber and physical infiltration points.
Real estate representatives involved in the report reinforced that access to these facilities is strictly controlled, and they did not feel there was currently a significant threat or a need to bar agencies from occupying these buildings. Still, agencies are cautioned they may experience coercion attempts or unwittingly be involved in money laundering.
"It's an eye opener. Certainly our security professionals should know who owns the piping in the buildings that they occupy," said House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform Chairman Rep. Jason Chaffetz, R-Utah, in a CNN story on the GAO report.
When evaluating spaces to lease, GSA is not currently required to determine whether a prospective lessor is a foreign entity. However, the agency has agreed with GAO's recommendation that this information be collected and shared going forward so that federal tenants can institute security mitigation.
