Police find person who conducted unauthorised talks with hackers during cyber-attack investigation
Investigating an attack on "Latvian State Forests" systems, police established that an individual acted without authorisation on behalf of the company and contacted criminals regarding a possible money transfer.
Police find person who conducted unauthorised talks with hackers during cyber-attack investigation
Law enforcement authorities conducted new investigative measures yesterday in a case opened on 26 June this year in connection with a digital attack on the information systems of the state forestry company. During the investigation, it emerged that a person with no connection to the incident itself had acted without justification and without authority in the interests of this capital company.
This individual, having obtained neither permission nor authorisation from the company's management, contacted cyber-criminals directly. He assessed discussion of a possible payment to regain access to encrypted data. Law enforcement authorities emphasise that they are investigating not what this person previously publicly stated about the attack, but rather his unlawful actions carried out on behalf of the state company.
A separate criminal case against this person has not been initiated, but in the existing case he has been given the status of "person against whom criminal proceedings have been started". No detention has taken place; the individual voluntarily came to the police to provide an explanation and is cooperating with investigators. A search was also carried out, during which one technical device was seized.
The case was initially classified under a provision providing for liability for intentional obstruction of the operation of an automated data processing system if it processes information related to state security. Subsequently, an additional qualification was added for abuse of power — for action taken without legal basis, circumventing the established procedure, if a state institution contests the legality of such action and if significant harm has been caused.
Source: LVportals.lv
Source: Google News LV — Crime (lv)