Two American cybersecurity professionals have pleaded guilty in a federal court to their involvement in ransomware attacks linked to the BlackCat hacking group. Authorities said the case highlights a serious misuse of technical skills that are intended to protect systems rather than exploit them.
The defendants admitted to using BlackCat ransomware to gain unauthorised access to company networks, encrypt sensitive data and demand ransom payments in cryptocurrency. Investigators revealed that the attacks targeted several organisations across different industries, including healthcare, engineering and technology.
Court records show that the men successfully extorted large sums of money from at least one victim, while making further ransom demands to other companies. They acted as affiliates of the BlackCat group, agreeing to share a percentage of any ransom payments with those who provided the ransomware software.
The pair now face potential prison sentences of up to 20 years. Law enforcement officials said the guilty pleas send a strong message that cybercriminals will be held accountable, even when they attempt to hide behind professional credentials and technical expertise.
Author: Kieran Seymour