Most Americans have heard of data breaches — when a company gets hacked and your credit card or password leaks online. But what if I told you that a new federal program called DOGE may have already exposed something far worse — the personal data of every single American?

That’s not an exaggeration. A new Senate report by Senator Gary Peters, who chairs the Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee, shows that DOGE has been collecting and storing our most private information — including Social Security numbers, work history, and personal files — in a system with little to no cybersecurity protection.

You can read it for yourself here: Senate Homeland Security Report on DOGE (PDF):
www.hsgac.senate.gov/wp-content/uploads/DOGE_REPORT_FINAL_7.pdf
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What the Report Found
According to the 42-page Senate report, DOGE isn’t following basic cybersecurity laws. Employees and contractors were given direct access to government databases — sometimes without background checks or clear oversight. One whistleblower said a copy of the entire Social Security database — that’s all 333 million Americans — was uploaded to a cloud server marked “vulnerable.”
That means names, birthdates, work records, and Social Security numbers are sitting on a system that hackers — or even foreign governments — could reach. Senator Peters’ staff warned that this could cause “catastrophic harm” if not fixed immediately.
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Why This Should Alarm Everyone
Your Social Security number isn’t just a number. It connects to your job, taxes, bank accounts, credit cards, passports, and Real ID. If that number is stolen or changed, your whole financial life can collapse.
Now imagine this: if DOGE’s system is ever breached, the U.S. government may have to reissue new Social Security numbers for every American.

Think about what that means:
- Every employer would need to redo payroll.
- Every bank would need to reconnect accounts.
- Every credit report would have to be rebuilt.
- Every passport, license, and tax record would need re-verification.
The chaos would be historic. Entire agencies would be overwhelmed, and millions of Americans could lose access to their paychecks, benefits, or IDs — maybe for months.
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The Russia Question
The report also raises fears of foreign access. Around the time DOGE began copying data, there were login attempts from Russian IP addresses linked to DOGE systems. One whistleblower mentioned a user nicknamed “BigBalls” who had backend access to systems later flagged for suspicious activity. Whether that name is tied to Russia or not, it highlights a disturbing fact: DOGE’s network is so open that anyone inside could become a doorway for outside attackers. When every piece of data is in one giant warehouse, one bad password or insider leak could open the vault.
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This Isn’t Just a Tech Problem
This isn’t about computers — it’s about trust. When you file taxes, apply for a job, or get Social Security, you assume your information is protected. But DOGE’s structure breaks that trust. It ignores federal privacy laws and operates beyond normal agency security rules.
As one cybersecurity expert said, it’s like “handing your house keys to a stranger because they promised to clean up faster.”  If DOGE fails — or if it’s already been breached — there’s no backup plan. The system holding your identity, your history, and your future could already be compromised.
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What Happens If It’s Breached
If even part of this system is hacked, we’ll see:
- Mass identity theft and financial fraud
- Frozen benefits for retirees and veterans
- Delayed taxes, healthcare, and student aid
- Government chaos trying to rebuild accurate records
It’s not just personal. It’s national. We’d be trying to rebuild the digital DNA of 330 million people.
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What Needs to Happen Now
1. Suspend DOGE’s access immediately. Freeze all data uploads until security is verified.
2. Independent cybersecurity audit. Let outside experts examine every server and access log.
3. Transparency. Americans deserve to know who accessed their data — and when.
4. Criminal accountability. If insiders or contractors broke the law, prosecute them.
5. Emergency planning. Start building a national plan for reissuing Social Security numbers — before the worst happens.
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This Crosses Every Party Line
It doesn’t matter if you’re Republican or Democrat — this is about you. From the President to a high school student opening a bank account, we’re all part of the same data pool.
If DOGE is allowed to keep running unchecked, the next “data breach” won’t hit one company. It’ll hit America.
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Final Thought
Senator Peters’ report is a warning siren. America’s digital house is on fire, and we can already smell the smoke. If the government doesn’t act now, DOGE could become the single greatest data disaster in our history — one that touches every paycheck, every family, and every identity in this country.
It’s time to pull the plug and protect the people.

Scott Huffman is an Information Technology professional, U.S. Navy veteran, and community leader from Salisbury, North Carolina. He has worked in IT for more than 25 years and writes about cybersecurity, democracy, and public accountability.

Imagine opening the Nextdoor app and seeing your photo under the headline: “Meet Your Local Left-Wing Domestic Terrorist.” That’s what a fake troll account did. Not because I incited violence. Not because I broke laws. But because I dared to speak openly. I posted a comment that reflected the frustration many Americans feel watching hate masquerade as patriotism, and suddenly I became the villain in their story. It’s as if using the word “Karma” was the same as if I was the one who did it in Utah.
 
Let me be clear: I do not condone violence. For 8 years, I served in the U.S. Navy to protect this nation and my neighbors, not to see it torn apart by hate and extremism. But when extremists in Rowan County found my Facebook post and twisted it into a rallying cry, they didn’t just attack my free speech. They attacked my character, my livelihood, and my First Amendment right to speak freely. They called me a traitor. A hater. A threat. They shared my post in private groups, smeared me on social media platforms, and even called my workplace demanding that I be fired. The irony? I am self-employed. They were literally demanding that I fire myself.
 
This is the playbook of intimidation. And it is not new. Four years ago, when I ran for Congress against one of the architects of gerrymandered extremism, I saw firsthand how far some will go to hold onto power. I didn’t lose because my ideas to help my community. I lost because NC Republicans rigged the congressional district so they win no matter what, and this silenced voices in our communities. Voices that believe diversity is our strength, not our weakness. Voices that believe every child deserves a free school lunch and a quality public education. Voices that believe our homeless and veterans deserve dignity, not neglect and jail time. Voices that believe working families deserve a livable wage, affordable health care, and a fair shot at the American Dream.
 
I believe in science, vaccines, and facts that don’t change with ideology. I believe in fair elections where every citizen has the right to vote, free from intimidation or suppression. I believe our military should defend our nation, not deployed against our own people spreading fear and anxiety. I believe in the separation of church and state, because freedom of religion also means freedom from government-imposed religion.  No one person, organization has the right to impose their faith on others.
 
And I believe in neighbors helping neighbors, not profiling their skin color, or accent, arresting them, or deporting them to a country they are not from and have never known. I believe in a pathway to citizenship for immigrant children who know no other home than the United States. I believe in community, not conspiracy.
 
So when they smear me as a threat, I ask: what exactly are they afraid of? Are they afraid of a Navy veteran who believes in feeding hungry kids? Are they afraid of a neighbor who believes every voice should matter at the ballot box? Are they afraid of someone who insists that our country is strongest when it lifts everyone up?
 
If that makes me a “domestic terrorist” in their eyes, then their definition is warped, twisted, and broken. What they fear is not me. It is accountability and transparency. What they fear is not my words. It truth. It is empathy. What they fear is someone who refuses to back down when bullied. What they fear is unity, because division keeps authoritarians in power.
 
The most un-American thing any of us can do is: attack our citizens, our neighbors, our community.  That doesn't lift everyone up.  That puts a boot on the necks of those who you do not agree with.  What happened to agree to disagree?
 
Yet I remain hopeful. Hopeful that leadership will see the need to tone down the rhetoric and stop lying instead of doubling down. Not targeting late night shows.  Hopeful that our nation can remember that strength is found in compassion, not cruelty and fear. Until our leaders step up and accept all Americans for who they are, who they love, and how they live their lives, we will remain divided, long after I have left this world.
 
Scott Huffman is small business owner in Information Technology. - He can be reached at [email protected]

After the recent U.S. strikes on Iran’s nuclear facilities, cybersecurity agencies are warning of increased risk of retaliatory attacks. Iran has a well-documented history of targeting U.S. infrastructure, businesses, and everyday users through advanced cyber operations—and it doesn’t take much to start. Sometimes, it’s just one click.

Phishing emails are the usual first move. Here's a common example you or your office might see:

Subject: Urgent: Microsoft Security Update Required
Body: “Due to recent global cyber threats, your system requires immediate patching. Click the link below to install the latest security update. Failure to comply may result in restricted access.”
Link: update-microsoft-secure.com (spoofed)

It looks legit—like something you'd expect from the IT Dept. or Microsoft—but clicking it could install malware, capture your passwords, or give hackers remote access to your systems.

And it doesn’t stop there. Outdated infrastructure is a goldmine for attackers. Firewalls, routers, switches, and wireless devices that are over five years old can be ticking time bombs. Most lack up-to-date firmware, modern security protocols, or any support at all. If it’s not patched—or can’t be—it’s vulnerable.

We’ve also got to look at home setups. Smart cameras, doorbells, thermostats, even baby monitors—many of these ship with default passwords and never get updated. Hackers know this. They've already used hijacked home cameras in past campaigns to track movement and gather surveillance.

And don’t forget the soft targets: your online accounts.

• Use strong, unique passwords (no repeats).
• Enable two-factor authentication whenever you can.
• Be skeptical of login prompts or password reset requests you didn’t initiate.

Iran isn’t the only threat actor looking to take advantage. Other state-sponsored groups—China, Russia, North Korea—are opportunistic and active. Ransomware, espionage, supply chain attacks—you name it. The window to prepare is open, but it won’t stay open for long. These actors are not only well-funded and technically advanced—they’re also patient, persistent, and increasingly using AI (Artificial Intelligence) to scale and automate their operations.
 
Let’s not wait to react. Let’s act now:

• Update your software, hardware, and firmware—at the office and at home.
• Run antivirus and anti-malware scans regularly.
• Audit your network for aging equipment and replace or harden it.
• Change the default credentials on smart devices.
• Check your bank, email, and social media accounts for suspicious activity.

 
And here’s the simplest, most powerful advice I can give: slow down. If a message seems off—even just a little—don’t click. Don’t reply. Report it. Ask for help.
When in doubt, throw it out. Be the human firewall.

Cyberattacks count on us rushing and reacting. Take a breath. Think twice. That pause could be what protects your entire network and bank accounts.

If you’ve got questions or want to shore up your defenses, reach out. I’ve got your back.

Scott Huffman is an IT professional with over 30 years of hands-on expertise in Information Technology, Infrastructure, VOIP, Wireless, and Cybersecurity.

I know it's a catchy title, but it is true.  During Trump's four years in office, he was at war with America and his favorite weapon of mass destruction was tariffs.  He claimed tariffs would level the playing field and make China pay.  No, Americans paid those tariffs, not China, and Mexico did not pay for the wall. 

On Feb 7th, 2018, a 30% solar module import tariff took effect.  This had a devastating effect on North Carolina.  We were No.2 in the nation following, dare I say California’s renewal solar energy program.  Now were 10th trailing behind Florida.

These tariffs slowed clean energy job creation in North Carolina.  The U.S. solar module prices increased, while the rest of the world saw their prices drop.  I guess that was due to demand for clean energy. 

During the 4 years of solar #tariffs, and according to a Government report by USITC, Trump’s solar tariffs accomplished little.  It hurt the U.S. solar module industry, increased prices, wages dropped, and taxpayers paid greater than $741 million through these tariffs by the end of 2019.

Before Covid19, North Carolina was on track for clean energy job growth.  According to e2.org – nearly 113,000 North Carolinians work in solar, wind, grid modernization, energy storage, clean vehicles at the end of 2019.  However, Covid19 squashed that industry and right now we have lost 19% of clean energy jobs.  22,000 North Carolinians remain unemployed and nationally that is 511,000 Americans. 

Yesterday, Republican Ted Budd (R-NC13) touted he was ready to work with President Biden and in the same breath just 6 hours later he is attacking the President for canceling the Keystone XL Pipeline.  Budd claimed this would kill 10,000 jobs, help Russia, China and referenced a fossil fuel propaganda website to back up the claim.  Funny thing, the State Dept reviewed the project and their report found that it would only create about 3,900 temporary jobs and 15 permanent jobs.  It is clear to me that Budd is using his position to be a mouthpiece for his Big Oil donors.

We must finally move away from fossil fuels.  It is literally killing us, poisoning our lands, water, air and continues to pump green-house gases on the planet.  Moving forward, this is why a Green New Deal is important.  We have the technology right now to get to zero emissions by 2050.  But we need the will of Congress to launch a 10-year plan.  That is why we need to move our country from fossil fuel energy production to clean renewable production. Upgrade the power grid, upgrade buildings to be more energy efficient.  Invest in electric vehicles and improve our transportation system.

Now I am sure Rep. Ted Budd will use those silly fossil fuel propaganda websites he pushes for his Big Oil donor’s.  But the Green New Deal will provide a new economic boom across all sectors of our nation.  Housing, Transportation, Education, Tech Jobs, and new Energy Jobs.  The first step is rejoining the Paris Climate agreement and on his first day in office President Biden did just that.  Now cancel the tariffs.

So, let us roll up our sleeves and work to Build Back Better our nation, our economy and ensure we have a clean and bright future for our children and mother earth.