WASHINGTON, Sept. 24 (UPI) -- U.S. computer consultant Unisys Corp. denied Monday it covered up hacker break-ins on Homeland Security department networks it was supposed to protect.
"The allegation that Unisys did not properly install essential security systems is incorrect," the Blue Bell, Pa., company said.
"We routinely follow prescribed security protocols and have properly reported incidents to the customer in accordance with those protocols," it said.
The Washington Post reported Monday congressional investigators had determined Unisys failed to detect cyber break-ins traced to a Chinese-language Web site and then tried to cover up its deficiencies.
The company, which once made mainframe computers, has a $1.7 billion contract to build, manage and protect U.S. Transportation Security Administration and Department of Homeland Security computer networks, the Post said.
But Unisys failed to properly install network-intrusion detection devices on TSA and DHS unclassified computer systems, so DHS was unaware of cyber-intrusions for at least three months beginning in June 2006, the House Homeland Security Committee said.
Unisys allegedly falsely certified the network had been protected to cover up its lax oversight, the committee said.
The committee called on DHS Inspector General Richard Skinner to launch his own investigation into "incompetent and possibly illegal activity by the contractor charged with maintaining security on its networks."
