Why were the OC Sheriff’s Department, Anaheim PD, and Long Beach PD talking to Hacking Team, the offensive cyber-weaponeers?
Hacking Team is an Italian outfit that provides offensive cyberweapons to such human rights respecting organizations as the governments and security services of Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Russia, Bahrain, Saudi Arabia and the UAE, as well as a large contract with Sudan.
Hacking Team got hacked, and Hacking Team’s sales contacts were released to the Internet. Among interested Police Departments were Anaheim, Long Beach, Los Angeles, UC Santa Barbara (really), LA County Sheriff, and Orange county Sheriff.
Why were local law enforcement even talking to Hacking Team? Do any of these public agencies have a contract with Hacking Team? Couldn’t they find a less odious organization for their cybersecurity?
For those not familiar, an “offensive cyberweapon” is government-speak for software that intrudes into a computer system uninvited – what is more commonly known as “malware.” When you are on the receiving end of an “offensive cyberweapon” from an organization with a political agenda (a government, for example) you are victim of “cyber terrorism.”
It wouldn’t hurt to do a records request to those cities asking them to disclose any invoices, memos, statements or any other records referencing Hacking Team.
*We just watched that Chris Hemsworth – “Black Hat” last night. Good action flick and explains abunch about the modern Hacking Community. Avialable at your local Library to rent for just $1 buck. Highly recommended.