Verizon Business Settles False Claims on Cybersecurity Controls for $4 mn – InfotechLead

Verizon Business Network Services has agreed to pay $4.091 million to resolve allegations of violating the False Claims Act, following accusations that it failed to fully comply with required cybersecurity controls while providing information technology services to federal agencies. The settlement, which concluded the legal proceedings, recognized that Verizon had cooperated with the government by taking significant measures to address the cybersecurity concerns raised during the investigation, according to a news statement. Deputy Assistant Attorney General Michael Granston of the Civil Division’s Commercial Litigation Branch emphasized the importance of government contractors adhering to cybersecurity standards, highlighting that failure to do so could jeopardize the security of sensitive government information and information systems. Michael Granston stated, “We will continue to pursue knowing cybersecurity-related violations under the Department’s Civil Cyber-Fraud Initiative and to provide credit in settlements to government contractors that disclose misconduct, cooperate with pending investigations and take remedial measures, all of which are critically important to protecting the nation against cyber threats.” The settlement specifically pertains to Verizon’s Managed Trusted Internet Protocol Service (MTIPS), designed to provide secure connections to the public internet and external networks for federal agencies. The allegations involved Verizon’s failure to fully satisfy three required cybersecurity
Read More