Police continue investigating cyber attack on state forest systems
Investigators have discovered that an unrelated person acted arbitrarily on behalf of a state enterprise, contacting hackers about a possible ransom payment for encrypted information.
Police continue investigating cyber attack on state forest systems
Law enforcement have carried out new investigative measures in the case concerning a computer attack on "Latvian State Forests" computer networks, which began several weeks ago. During the investigation, it has emerged that a person who had no connection whatsoever to the attack itself acted without authorisation on behalf of the state enterprise.
Despite having no authority to do so, this individual made decisions arbitrarily and contacted the criminals who had breached the systems. During the conversations, he discussed the possibility of paying a ransom to recover the encrypted data. These actions took place without the knowledge or consent of the enterprise's management.
Police have granted this person official status in the existing case, but a separate criminal case has not been initiated. No detention was applied — the individual came voluntarily for questioning after being summoned and fully cooperated with investigators. A search of his residence and property was also carried out, during which one electronic device was seized. Such measures are standard practice in investigations of this type.
The authority emphasises that the investigation does not focus on statements publicly made by this person about the attack, but rather on his unlawful actions carried out on behalf of the state capital company without any legal basis.
The case was initially opened under a provision that provides for liability for intentional disruption of state-significant computer network operations. Investigators subsequently supplemented the charges with an article concerning arbitrary action — for actions carried out without a legal basis and which resulted in considerable damage, if such actions have been disputed by a state institution.
Source: LVportals.lv
Source: Google News LV — Crime (lv)