WASHINGTON: Two Indian citizens, Murali Y Venkata and Sonal Patel, both former federal employees, have been sentenced by a US court for their involvement in a conspiracy to steal sensitive data from the US government.
The duo, along with Charles Edwards, a former Acting Inspector General of the Department of Homeland Security, conspired to steal proprietary software and databases containing sensitive law enforcement information and personally identifying information (PII) of over 200,000 federal employees.
Murali Y Venkata, residing in Aldie, Virginia, and Sonal Patel from Sterling, Virginia, received sentences of four months in prison and two years of probation, including one year of home incarceration, along with a $40,000 fine, respectively.
ALSO READ: Hackers Steal Personal Data of Two Million Pakistanis, Offer It for Sale Online
The conspiracy involved creating a commercial software product using the stolen data for sale to government agencies, and the stolen information, including PII, was shared with software developers in India.
This case highlights the international dimension of data theft, with Indian citizens actively participating in the illicit acquisition of sensitive US government information. It serves as a stark reminder of the critical importance of robust cybersecurity measures to prevent unauthorized access and misuse of confidential data.
The sentencing underscores the gravity of such offenses and reflects a commitment to holding individuals accountable for compromising national security through cybercrimes. It emphasizes the need for continued vigilance and collaboration in addressing cybersecurity challenges with a global perspective.
