Threat Management, Network Security

Former disgruntled employee at ClickMotive convicted under Computer Fraud and Abuse Act

A jury last week convicted former IT professional Michael Thomas of Lewisville, Texas, under the federal Computer Fraud and Abuse Act (CFAA), finding the 37-year-old guilty of sabotaging the computer systems of auto industry web software provider ClickMotive.

Thomas was formerly the IT operations manager at ClickMotive in Plano, Texas. According to a release from the U.S. Attorney's Office in Eastern District of Texas, Thomas in 2011 became disgruntled with his employer and sought revenge by deleting important files and tampering with email distribution groups so that customer support requests would go unanswered.

“The jury's verdict in this case sends an important message to IT professionals everywhere: an employee in the defendant's position holds the proverbial keys to the kingdom and with that power comes great responsibility,” said U.S. Attorney John M. Bales. “Intentionally causing damage to a computer system without authorization is a criminal act that can and will be prosecuted.” Thomas faces up to 10 years in prison.

Bradley Barth

As director of community content at CyberRisk Alliance, Bradley Barth develops content for SC Media online conferences and events, as well as video/multimedia projects. For nearly six years, he wrote and reported for SC Media as deputy editor and, before that, senior reporter. He was previously a program executive with the tech-focused PR firm Voxus. Past journalistic experience includes stints as business editor at Executive Technology, a staff writer at New York Sportscene and a freelance journalist covering travel and entertainment. In his spare time, Bradley also writes screenplays.

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