Walter D. Puckett, 40, of Williamstown, Ky., was sentenced yesterday to three years of probation by U.S. District Chief Judge Richard L. Young after his guilty plea to computer intrusion.
According to a press release issued by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Indiana, Puckett admitted that he accessed the computer system of the Stens Corporation, based in Jasper, Ind., from various places on numerous occasions without authorization. Puckett further admitted that the computer intrusions were performed for the purpose of gaining commercial advantage and personal financial benefit.
Puckett was employed by a competitor of Stens when he accessed the Stens’ computer system. The press release does not indicate what types of data Puckett accessed or acquired.
Puckett and another former Stens manager, Scott R. Burgess, 45, of Jasper, Indiana were both indicted in November 2009. Although the men left their jobs in 2004 and early 2005 to work for the competitor, they were reportedly able to use the outdated passwords successfully as late as September of 2006. Even when old passwords were terminated by Stens personnel who became suspicious, the men reportedly simply tried different login credentials – and succeeded several times, according to a story in The Register at the time.
According to Assistant U.S. Attorney Todd S. Shellenbarger, who prosecuted the case for the government, Judge Young also ordered Puckett to serve the first 300 days of his probation term in a work release center. Puckett was also ordered to make restitution in the amount of $72,481 to Stens.
He admits it was for financial gain but we don’t know what type of data he accessed? This is exactly why consumers are so frustrated. How can they react properly? How can we assess this breach – this lack of information is why we are still in the dark ages. It is critical that there is transparency so that studies can truly measure what are the most prevelent breaches, how they happen, what information is in danger’s way, and to send a loud message about best business practices.