DOGE breaks through into FPP amid outrage over sensitive data exposure

Doge employees spent two weeks attempting to obtain high-level access to the FPPS.

PUBLISHED APR 1, 2025

The memo against Elon Musk's DOGE also noted that accessing FPPS usually requires specialized training and certification

Washington D.C.: Members of Elon Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) reportedly gained administrative access to a federal payroll system over the weekend, despite warnings from senior officials about potential security risks. The system processes salaries for approximately 276,000 federal employees across multiple agencies.

According to 'The New York Times', Doge employees spent two weeks attempting to obtain high-level access to the Federal Personnel and Payroll System (FPPS). Senior career officials at the Interior Department raised concerns in a memo stating that such access is typically restricted due to the sensitivity of the data involved. The memo warned that granting administrative privileges would allow DOGE employees to view highly confidential information, including Social Security numbers, and could make them targets for cyberattacks by foreign entities or malicious actors.

Trump also gave a special shout out to Elon Musk: “Thank you, Elon, thank you. How good was his endorsement? — At least two of Elon Musk's DOGE employees were granted access on Saturday

The memo also noted that accessing FPPS usually requires specialized training and certification, cautioning that "operator error" could lead to system failures. On Friday, federal employees reportedly asked DOGE staff to deliver the memo to Interior Secretary Doug Burgum for his approval, which would have transferred legal responsibility for the risks. However, Burgum never signed it.

Despite these concerns, at least two DOGE employees were granted access on Saturday. With this level of control, they can now view sensitive employee data and potentially expedite hiring and firing processes.

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Tyler Hassan, the Interior Department’s acting assistant secretary and a former DOGE employee, reportedly placed two IT officials who resisted the access request on administrative leave citing "workplace behavior" investigations.

The Interior Department stated it is working to "execute the President’s directive to cut costs and make the government more efficient", aligning with Trump-era executive orders.

What is the FPPS?

The Federal Personnel and Payroll System (FPPS) is an integrated payroll and personnel system used by various US federal agencies to manage human resources, timekeeping, and payroll processing. It is administered by the Department of the Interior’s Interior Business Center (IBC) and supports multiple federal agencies by ensuring compliance with federal payroll regulations, benefits management, and personnel data tracking.

FPPS handles payroll processing, personnel management, time and attendance tracking, compliance and reporting and integration capabilities.