The Justice Department alleges incident responder Angelo Martino carried out multiple ransomware attacks and secretly aided the ALPHV/BlackCat group while working as a negotiator. Martino surrendered, was released on bond with a ban on cyber industry work, and prosecutors say he passed confidential negotiation details that helped secure multimillion-dollar ransoms, prompting DigitalMint to fire him and tighten oversight. #ALPHV #DigitalMint
Keypoints
- Angelo Martino is accused of conducting at least ten ransomware attacks and colluding with ALPHV/BlackCat.
- Prosecutors say he provided confidential negotiation information to co-conspirators to maximize ransom payments.
- Martino, Ryan Goldberg, and Kevin Martin earned about $1.2 million from an attack on a Florida medical company; Goldberg and Martin pleaded guilty.
- DigitalMint terminated the employees, assisted the DOJ investigation, and implemented audited cloud-based negotiation controls and oversight.
- The case has provoked industry outrage and highlighted ethical risks around ransom negotiators and access to attacker tools.
Read More: https://therecord.media/ransomware-blackcat-doj-incident-responder