Surging cybersecurity threats will demand the help of whistleblowers in the coming year. The topic may sound technical or even boring, but you notice more than you think you do. Cyber attacks cause major hiccups in everyday life — and billions of dollars are at stake. This year, cybersecurity breaches have resulted in compromised Social Security numbers, grounded flights, and health care system disruption, as well as threats to our federal government’s operations. While many of these … [Read more...]
Cybersecurity Breaches Are Costly. Whistleblowers Can Be Crucial in Preventing Them
Protecting taxpayer money is one of the most important purposes of the False Claims Act. A false claim against the federal government is sometimes clear to see from a whistleblower’s standpoint, such as when unrendered services are billed to Medicare. But cybersecurity is becoming an increasingly important vulnerability for the federal government and the watchful eyes of whistleblowers who understand the complexities of information technology are needed more than ever. This year, a botched … [Read more...]
Cybersecurity Compliance Is a Requirement for All Federal Contractors and Grantees, not Just Those in IT
A recent $9 million settlement in a whistleblower case is a reminder that cybersecurity is a requirement for all contractors and grantees delivering services to the federal government, not just those providing information technology. A former employee of Aerojet Rocketdyne Inc. filed a qui tam lawsuit against the company, alleging that it misrepresented its compliance with cybersecurity requirements, violating the False Claims Act. Aerojet, based in California, provides propulsion and power … [Read more...]
Russian Cyberattack Threat Underscores Need for Cybersecurity
The threat of cyberattacks from Russia in retaliation for the United States’ economic sanctions against the country for its invasion of Ukraine has renewed a sense of urgency to improve the U.S.’s cybersecurity. On March 21, President Joe Biden issued a statement calling on the private sector to strengthen its cyber defenses immediately, citing “evolving intelligence that the Russian Government is exploring options for potential cyberattacks.” Biden noted that most of the country’s … [Read more...]