14 DAY TRIAL // Experts have often pointed out that insider threats can be just as dangerous as a sophisticated attack coming from outside the organization. An incident that occurred in Hoboken, a city in Hudson County, New Jersey, is a perfect example.
46-year-old Patrick Ricciardi, the chief IT officer for the mayor’s office, has pleaded guilty to hacking into the email accounts of the mayor and other staff members in an attempt to intercept communications, nj.com reports.
Ricciardi has pleaded guilty to accessing a computer without authorization, disclosure of wire and electronic communications to a third party, and intercepting wire and electronic communications.
The man stored the stolen emails in an archive on his computer. He also shared them with three other individuals: a city employee, a former city official, and a city official.
The data breach was identified in April 2011, during a security audit.
Ricciardi faces up to 5 years in prison and three years of supervised release. The sentencing will take place on July 1.