US defense contractor ordered to pay $10M for selling hacking tools to Russians
Original: US defense contractor who sold hacking tools to Russian broker ordered to pay $10M to former employers
Why This Matters
Major security breach highlights risks of insider threats in defense cybersecurity operations
Peter Williams, former head of L3Harris cybersecurity division, must pay $10 million restitution on top of $1.3 million already ordered. The 39-year-old Australian sold trade secrets to Russian broker Operation Zero for $1.3 million.
Peter Williams, 39-year-old Australian citizen and former general manager of L3Harris' Trenchant division, was ordered Wednesday to pay $10 million in restitution to his former employer. Williams previously headed the hacking and surveillance tech division that develops advanced spyware for the US government and Five Eyes intelligence alliance. He pleaded guilty to stealing seven trade secrets - likely cyber exploits and surveillance technology - and selling them to Russian firm Operation Zero, which brokers hacking tools exclusively for the Russian government. Williams received over seven years in prison and used the $1.3 million proceeds to buy luxury watches, a Washington D.C. house, and family vacations. L3Harris claimed losses up to $35 million from the theft.