Security News > 2023 > May > IT security analyst admits hijacking cyber attack to pocket ransom payments

A former IT security analyst at Oxford Biomedica has admitted, five years after the fact, to turning to the dark side - by hijacking a cyber attack against his own company in an attempt to divert any ransom payments to himself.

Ashley Liles, of Letchworth Garden City, Hertfordshire, pleaded guilty at Reading Crown Court to blackmail and unauthorized access to a computer with intent to commit other offences on May 17 following an investigation by the South East Regional Organised Crime Unit.

Liles, in his capacity as security analyst for Oxford Biomedica, began to investigate the attack alongside colleagues and the police, but SEROCU's own probe soon uncovered an ulterior motive.

Using an almost identical email address to that of the attacker, Liles heaped pressure on the company to pay up.

Liles had attempted to wipe his devices days before his arrest, but the data was recovered.

Liles continued to deny any involvement, despite evidence to the contrary, until he cracked in court last week.

News URL

https://go.theregister.com/feed/www.theregister.com/2023/05/24/it_security_analyst_blackmail/