What does huge storage array even mean in today's context? I recently built a 20TB server at a price point less than a new 13" MacBook Pro for personal use that occupies a cross section the size of a notebook sitting at the edge my desk...all from commercial-grade hardware that's been on the market for at least 2 years. I would think that the home setup of any serious professional engineer who has been in industry for the better part of my adult life would have some sweet kit up his sleeves.
Imagine this: authorities confiscate anything that looks like storage media, storage capacity rough order of magnitude is calculated, figures reported to media, an assumption is made that it's all highly classified, spin some click bait article.
We're talking about a civilian contractor from private industry who supposedly played an "advisor" role, not some intern whose shoulder was constantly being looked over.