Khaberni - Newsweek disclosed the details of a serious cyber espionage case that concluded with a sentence of 7 years imprisonment for an employee at an American military contracting company, after his conviction for selling security secrets to entities linked to Russia for 4 million dollars in cryptocurrency.
The magazine explained in a report by its senior correspondent for news affairs, Brendan Cole, that the Australian, Peter Williams, aged 39, confessed to selling sensitive advanced tools and software in cybersecurity to middlemen linked to Russia which were supposed to be exclusively available to the U.S. government and its allies.
Investigations revealed that Williams exploited his position at "Trenchant" to leak 8 advanced technological tools in exchange for millions of dollars in cryptocurrency over more than a 3-year period.
National Security Threat
Despite knowing that the FBI was investigating him, he continued selling these materials, using the proceeds to buy luxury cars, properties, and jewelry.
Commenting on the incident's gravity, U.S. Prosecutor Jeanine Pirro confirmed that these tools would have enabled Moscow to hack millions of digital devices, considering it a "crime that went beyond theft to become a direct threat to national security."
In turn, Special Agent in the FBI, Jamie Paul, noted that Williams's actions caused "substantial damage and losses to his employer, the U.S. government, and its allies."
With the convict acknowledging that his actions cost the contracting company approximately $35 million, Roman Rozhavsky, Assistant Director of the Counterintelligence Division at the FBI, noted that the sentence serves as a "clear warning to anyone who prioritizes personal greed over loyalty to the nation."
Accusations Over the Years
In recent years, the United States has consistently accused Russia of carrying out hacking operations against American institutions and has taken measures to safeguard its security systems.
In May 2023, the U.S. Department of Justice announced that it discovered 5 cyber attacks relating to the use of malicious technology in various parts of the country.
The department stated in a brief announcement at the time that it dismantled networks established to assist Russia in acquiring sensitive technologies, adding that it charged a Chinese national for supplying Iran with materials used in manufacturing ballistic missiles and weapons of mass destruction.
It also charged a Russian national residing in America with using ransomware to attack victims across the country.
Last year saw a significant increase in the rate of cyber attacks, with the rate exceeding 100% in some sectors, according to statistics from the security company "Checkpoint."
