Verizon Willing To Pay IDR 62.2 Billion For Settlement Of Claims Of Failure Of Cybersecurity Standards

Verizon, agreed to pay 4.1 million US dollars (IDR 62.2 billion) to settle a cybersecurity claim. (photo: twitter @Verizon)

JAKARTA - Verizon Business Network Services, a unit of Verizon's giant telecommunications company, agreed to pay $4.1 million to settle claims from the United States government stating that they failed to follow the required cybersecurity standards, the US Department announced.

This settlement concludes claims that Verizon's services providing federal agencies with secure internet connections and other external networks do not fully meet the three cybersecurity controls required in contracts from 2017 to 2021.

"When government contractors fail to follow the required cybersecurity standards, they could jeopardize the security of sensitive information from the government and information systems," Deputy Attorney General Michael Granston said in a statement.

Verizon said that in 2020 they "proactively identify and disclose" to the Public Service Administration the potential problems with security services they sell to several federal government agencies. They added that at any time the potential problem did not result in a security breach or data leak. This settlement does not make a determination about responsibility.

The department grants credit to Verizon and other government contractors in settlement with government contractors who "reveal violations, cooperate with ongoing investigations, and take corrective measures, all of which are critical to protecting the country from cyber threats."