"Peter Williams stole a U.S. defense contractor's trade secrets about highly sensitive cyber capabilities and sold them to a broker whose clients include the Russian government, putting our national security and countless potential victims at risk."
"Between April 2022 and June 2025, Peter Williams, 39, stole at least eight cyber exploits from his employer. The exploits, described as components of software associated with national security, were sold to a Russian broker that provides cyber tools to the Russian government and other customers."
"In addition to the 87-month prison term, Williams was sentenced to three years of supervised release and ordered to forfeit $1.3 million in cryptocurrency and property, including a house, watches, and jewelry."
Peter Williams, a 39-year-old Australian national and executive at Trenchant, a division of L3Harris, stole at least eight cyber exploits between April 2022 and June 2025. These exploits, classified as national security components, were sold to Operation Zero, a Russian zero-day acquisition company that provides cyber tools to the Russian government and other clients. Williams received cryptocurrency payments for the stolen trade secrets and used the proceeds to purchase luxury items and properties. He transferred the exploits via encrypted means and pleaded guilty in October 2025. His actions caused $35 million in losses to the defense contractor and impacted US and allied government customers. Williams received an 87-month prison sentence, three years supervised release, and was ordered to forfeit $1.3 million in cryptocurrency and property.
#trade-secret-theft #cyber-espionage #russian-intelligence #defense-contractor-security #national-security-breach
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