Verizon Business Network Services, a subsidiary of the telecommunications behemoth Verizon, has consented to pay $4.1 million to settle allegations from the U.S. government regarding non-compliance with mandatory cybersecurity protocols. The U.S. Justice Department announced the settlement, which pertains to accusations that a Verizon service, tasked with furnishing federal agencies with secure internet connections and other networks, did not fully meet three essential cybersecurity controls in contracts spanning 2017 to 2021.
Deputy Assistant Attorney General Michael Granston emphasized the gravity of the situation, stating, “When government contractors neglect mandatory cybersecurity standards, they risk compromising the security of sensitive government data and associated systems.”
In its defense, Verizon highlighted that in 2020, it had “proactively identified and disclosed” a potential issue related to a managed security service offered to certain federal government agencies. The company was keen to note that this potential problem did not lead to any security or data breaches.
The settlement did not attribute any liability to Verizon. However, the Justice Department acknowledged and credited Verizon and other contractors who come forward to “disclose misconduct, cooperate with ongoing investigations, and implement corrective actions.” Such proactive measures are deemed crucial in safeguarding the nation from cyber threats.
Source: Reuters
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