Contractors Settle Cybersecurity Breach Claims About Covid Aid

Guidehouse Inc. and Nan McKay and Associates have agreed to pay $7.6 million and $3.7 million, respectively, to resolve allegations that they violated the False Claims Act by failing to meet cybersecurity requirements in contracts intended to ensure a secure environment for low-income New Yorkers to apply online for federal rental assistance during the Covid-19 pandemic, the Justice Department announced Monday.

Guidehouse and Nan McKay shared responsibility for ensuring that the emergency rental assistance program application underwent cybersecurity testing in its pre-production environment before it was launched to the public. Guidehouse and Nan McKay admitted that they didn’t satisfy …