(function(i,m,p,a,c,t){c.ire_o=p;c[p]=c[p]||function(){(c[p].a=c[p].a||[]).push(arguments)};t=a.createElement(m);var z=a.getElementsByTagName(m)[0];t.async=1;t.src=i;z.parentNode.insertBefore(t,z)})('https://utt.impactcdn.com/P-A3635466-f556-4c54-83d0-b674789a87881.js','script','impactStat',document,window);impactStat('transformLinks');impactStat('trackImpression'); google-site-verification=PGyGSKHgZazbuBqDLGWGtaoMVGselXzPs5VT-boZN2M google-site-verification=c5jmbe3Z58CqGDU8xGRhtEEbLr7QlySbG_IoVolrBbg This is a Brave Creators publisher verification file. Domain: thestevenwickblog.com Token: 0ace886aa2a016ff48af7f6dc6dd4be9142d4ed31973cd108bc7c6f746a51640 # SOVRN lijit.com, 400418, DIRECT, fafdf38b16bf6b2b #SOVRN lijit.com, 400418-eb, DIRECT, fafdf38b16bf6b2b #SOVRN openx.com, 538959099, RESELLER, 6a698e2ec38604c6 pubmatic.com, 137711, RESELLER, 5d62403b186f2ace pubmatic.com, 156212, RESELLER, 5d62403b186f2ace rubiconproject.com, 17960, RESELLER, 0bfd66d529a55807 appnexus.com, 1019, RESELLER, f5ab79cb980f11d1 video.unrulymedia.com, 12444764291, RESELLER contextweb.com, 558511, RESELLER google-site-verification: google6216a4a2a6fb69f0.html ... ...
top of page
  • Instagram
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • LinkedIn
  • YouTube
  • TikTok
  • Instagram
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • LinkedIn
  • YouTube
  • TikTok
  • Instagram
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • LinkedIn
  • YouTube
  • TikTok
Writer's pictureStephen Wick

ASRC Federal Data Solutions Settles False Claims Act Allegations for $306,722

The breach came to light when AFDS promptly alerted the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) and collaborated with them to mitigate the fallout. The company also cooperated with a Justice Department investigation and undertook several remedial actions.


ASRC Federal Data Solutions LLC (AFDS), based in Reston, Virginia, has agreed to a settlement totaling $306,722 to address allegations under the False Claims Act related to the mishandling of sensitive personal information of Medicare beneficiaries. This resolution follows concerns over the company's storage of unsecured data linked to a government contract.


As part of the settlement, AFDS will also forfeit its rights to seek reimbursement for expenses associated with a data breach that compromised this information, which includes at least $877,578 spent on notifying affected beneficiaries and providing credit monitoring services


“Government contractors that handle personal information must take required steps to safeguard that information from cyberattacks,” said Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Brian M. Boynton, head of the Justice Department’s Civil Division. “We will vigilantly pursue contractors that fail to comply with required cybersecurity protocols, while at the same time extending cooperation credit were warranted for self-disclosure, cooperation and remediation.”


The breach came to light when AFDS promptly alerted the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) and collaborated with them to mitigate the fallout. The company also cooperated with a Justice Department investigation and undertook several remedial actions.

AFDS was contracted to provide support services for Medicare. The allegations specify that between March 10, 2021, and October 8, 2022, AFDS and a subcontractor stored screenshots containing personally identifiable and potentially sensitive health information on a server without properly encrypting the files. While the server employed disk-level encryption to prevent unauthorized access, it failed to safeguard the files from those with authorized credentials. In October 2022, a third-party breach reportedly compromised these unencrypted screenshots.


The U.S. government claimed that AFDS's actions violated its contractual cybersecurity obligations and that the company knowingly billed CMS despite these breaches in compliance.


“Safeguarding patients’ sensitive personal information is of paramount importance,” said Special Agent in Charge Stephen Niemczak of the Department of Health and Human Services Office of the Inspector General (HHS-OIG). “This settlement demonstrates the commitment by HHS-OIG and our law enforcement partners to use every available tool to protect the health care data of all Americans and to investigate allegations of fraud, waste and abuse against the public and taxpayer-funded health care programs.”







THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME




DISCLAIMER



The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of The Steven Wick Blog. Any content provided by our bloggers or authors are of their opinion and are not intended to malign any religion, ethnic group, club, organization, company, individual or anyone or anything.

If you decide to purchase any item using our authorized referral/affiliate links, be aware, we may receive a portion of the sales as commission, i.e. if you purchase a product/service.



To shop, select or click buttons, links or images, you will be redirected to product pages. Please, carefully research before you purchase. Feel free to share and leave a comment, we would love to hear from you. Your feedback is very important to us.


For more like this, music, literature, news, fashion, savvy political commentary, and fascinating features, sign up for the Steven Wick News Letter.








We here at the Steven Wick Blog are so proud of our work, we’d like to thank you for being a part of our community. However, our mission to share so much from music, literature, lifestyle to fashion is a 24/7 undertaking! We need your help to continue our work. Your financial donation will help us not only keep the lights on, but enable us run many more stories in the future to come. DONATE HERE












Message Of Gratitude


We deeply appreciate your contribution in making our blog the top brand among customers.


Without you as our readers, we wouldn't have achieved this level of success. Your satisfaction is our utmost priority, and we assure you that we will always be a reliable source for your entertainment needs.


Your trust in us is invaluable, and we are grateful for your generous donations as our readers.


A number of you took an extra effort and opted to contribute as monthly donors. By doing so, your generous contribution is multiplied by twelve throughout the year, thereby amplifying the impact you have on our work. Your dedication truly makes a significant change, and we sincerely appreciate your valuable support.


Your support has been instrumental in our brand's success.


Thank you for being with us throughout the past year.

As we continue to grow and enhance our business, we pledge to prioritize your needs and interests.


Best Regards


The Steven Wick Team




















Comments


Join the Club

Join our email list and get access to specials deals exclusive to our subscribers.

Thanks for submitting!

bottom of page