The federal government's recent False Claims Act suit against Georgia Tech highlights the importance of complying with cybersecurity standards when working on federal contracts. This action signifies the U.S. Department of Justice's commitment to pursuing cybersecurity-related fraud broadly—including beyond the private sector.
The school's Astrolavos Labs entered into several US Department of Defense contracts but allegedly failed to develop a required system security plan or use antivirus tools—while also allegedly submitting a false assessment score of its cybersecurity compliance to the DoD.
This action serves as a reminder to all entities, regardless of their size or nature, that receive government funds and agree to adhere to cybersecurity regulations. Ensuring compliance with these standards is crucial to avoiding potential legal implications and safeguarding against cybersecurity threats.