Law.com Subscribers SAVE 30%
Call 855-808-4530 or email [email protected] to receive your discount on a new subscription.
The DOJ Goes Phishing: The Rise of False Claims Act Cybersecurity Litigation
This past October, Deputy Attorney General Lisa Monaco announced the launch of the Department of Justice's (DOJ) Civil Cyber-Fraud Initiative targeting entities and individuals that fail to follow government cybersecurity standards. Under the initiative, to be led by the Fraud Section of the Civil Division's Commercial Litigation Branch, the DOJ announced that it would utilize its powerful enforcement tool — the False Claims Act (FCA) — to pursue cybersecurity-related fraud by government contractors and grant recipients. Shortly after the announcement, in remarks at the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) 4th Annual National Cybersecurity Summit on Oct. 13, 2021, DOJ Civil Division acting Assistant Attorney General Brian Boynton described three "prime candidates" for potential FCA enforcement under the initiative: 1) providing products or services that fail to comply with cybersecurity standards; 2) misrepresenting security controls and practices; and 3) failing to timely report suspected cybersecurity breaches.
The DOJ's initiative comes alongside increased government activity to curb cybersecurity and government contractor risks. Earlier last year, emphasizing this new focus on cybersecurity and compliance, President Biden issued an Executive Order on Improving the Nation's Cybersecurity (EO 14028), which called for, among other things, federal agencies to adopt updated contractual requirements for information technology (IT) and operational technology (OT) contractors to share information about potential cyber threats. In January 2022, President Biden signed a National Security Memorandum to Improve the Cybersecurity of National Security, Department of Defense, and Intelligence Community Systems, calling out cybersecurity as a national security and economic security imperative for the administration. And on Feb. 9, 2022, the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) announced upcoming new rules requiring registrants to maintain cybersecurity polices and standards and report significant cyber incidents to the SEC, among other things.
While the DOJ Civil Cyber-Fraud Initiative is still in its early stages and cybersecurity regulations are evolving, whistleblower plaintiffs have already begun leveraging the FCA to pursue alleged noncompliance with government cybersecurity requirements.
This premium content is locked for Entertainment Law & Finance subscribers only
ENJOY UNLIMITED ACCESS TO THE SINGLE SOURCE OF OBJECTIVE LEGAL ANALYSIS, PRACTICAL INSIGHTS, AND NEWS IN ENTERTAINMENT LAW.
- Stay current on the latest information, rulings, regulations, and trends
- Includes practical, must-have information on copyrights, royalties, AI, and more
- Tap into expert guidance from top entertainment lawyers and experts
Already a have an account? Sign In Now Log In Now
For enterprise-wide or corporate acess, please contact Customer Service at [email protected] or 877-256-2473
The Article 8 Opt In
The Article 8 opt-in election adds an additional layer of complexity to the already labyrinthine rules governing perfection of security interests under the UCC. A lender that is unaware of the nuances created by the opt in (may find its security interest vulnerable to being primed by another party that has taken steps to perfect in a superior manner under the circumstances.
Major Differences In UK, U.S. Copyright Laws
This article highlights how copyright law in the United Kingdom differs from U.S. copyright law, and points out differences that may be crucial to entertainment and media businesses familiar with U.S law that are interested in operating in the United Kingdom or under UK law. The article also briefly addresses contrasts in UK and U.S. trademark law.
Legal Possession: What Does It Mean?
Possession of real property is a matter of physical fact. Having the right or legal entitlement to possession is not "possession," possession is "the fact of having or holding property in one's power." That power means having physical dominion and control over the property.
Warehouse Liability: Know Before You Stow!
As consumers continue to shift purchasing and consumption habits in the aftermath of the pandemic, manufacturers are increasingly reliant on third-party logistics and warehousing to ensure their products timely reach the market.
Strategy vs. Tactics: Two Sides of a Difficult Coin
With each successive large-scale cyber attack, it is slowly becoming clear that ransomware attacks are targeting the critical infrastructure of the most powerful country on the planet. Understanding the strategy, and tactics of our opponents, as well as the strategy and the tactics we implement as a response are vital to victory.