Source: Reuters
Summary
Peter Williams, former head of L3Harris Trenchant, was sentenced to 7 years in prison for stealing and selling the company’s hacking and surveillance tools to a Russian firm. According to the report, Williams was found guilty of conspiracy, computer fraud, and wire fraud. The stolen tools were reportedly used for hacking and surveillance purposes.
Our Reading
The announcement sounds ambitious.
A former head of a US hacking tools maker gets 7 years in prison for selling stolen goods to Russia. Because what could possibly go wrong with selling surveillance tools to a nation-state? The sentence follows a familiar script of “we’re shocked, SHOCKED!” that these tools ended up in the wrong hands. It’s not like we’ve seen this story before.
Author: Evan Null
Another Case of “I Didn’t Think This Through”
It’s not like Williams didn’t know what he was getting himself into. The fact that he sold the tools to a Russian firm should have raised some red flags. But hey, who needs due diligence when there’s a quick buck to be made?
The Usual Suspects
L3Harris Trenchant, the company Williams used to work for, is probably going to have some explaining to do. How did their former head manage to steal and sell their hacking tools without anyone noticing? It’s not like they have a track record of, oh, I don’t know, selling surveillance tools to questionable customers.
Russia, Again
Russia, because of course. It’s not like they have a history of using surveillance tools for nefarious purposes. Williams probably thought he was just making a quick sale, but really, he was just playing into the hands of a nation-state with a questionable human rights record.
7 Years, Really?
7 years in prison seems like a slap on the wrist considering the severity of the crime. But hey, at least he’s going to jail, right? It’s not like he’s going to get a slap on the wrist and a “don’t do it again” from the judge.
Déjà Vu
This whole story feels like we’ve seen it before. A person in a position of power does something shady, gets caught, and then gets a slap on the wrist. Rinse and repeat. It’s like we’re stuck in some kind of cybersecurity Groundhog Day.
