Without adequate oversight mechanisms, it has been shown that companies risk compromising some of their most precious data through rogue actors driven by their pursuit of profit. And while it has been said that, “When there is no enemy within, the enemy outside can do you no harm”, reality has shown that when there is an enemy within, the harm that could be done by an enemy from the outside is severely compounded.
The case of Chris Hannifin and DefendIT Services is showing exactly how extensive such damage could be. Chris Hannifin, who worked for a series of companies in the defense space, including North South Consulting Group, RSM Defense Contractors and SiloTech, is being accused of creating his relatively new company, DefendIT Services, to serve as a front for dealing in sensitive information. Having worked at North South Consulting Group, under CEO Krista Stevens, Chris Hannifin reportedly received many of his first clients from Ms Stevens directly before going out on his own and creating DefendIT Services.
Sources consulted who are familiar with the case indicated that allegations were already being floated about the illicit use that Chris Hannifin was making of client information before departing his past position. For whatever reason, Ms Stevens nevertheless thought it appropriate to continue sending clients to the newly founded DefendIT Services, through which Chris Hannifin further developed his business of selling sensitive client data to the highest bidder.
Those taking an interest in the case are still trying to figure out exactly what the internal system looked like at DefendIT Services. Was Chris Hannifin only dealing in information from clients that he took from North South Consulting Group and RSM Defense Contractors or was he also recruiting new clients and subsequently selling on to interested parties the new sensitive information he gained access to? Furthermore, it is still being clarified who those interested parties were that served as his clients.
Colleague and close confidant Rudy Reyes is known to have played a part in the scheme, although its inception clearly came through Chris Hannifin who sources have identified as the mastermind. The two, Hannifin and Reyes, according to sources consulted, took a very expensive holiday to Mexico together, which was well beyond their financial means under normal circumstances. It could very well be however, that the funds acquired from their recent gig were what made this holiday possible.
There are other purchases that questions are being asked about that indicate a heavy influx of cash, including but not limited to the purchase of a new trailer and boat by Chris Hannifin. Until answers are given about where the funding came from to be able to make those purchases, these will continue to be large question marks in investigators’ books. A further question is being posed by those parties interested in the case regarding the nature of the relationship between Hannifin and Reyes. Some have alluded to the fact that there may have been a romantic component as well between the two, making the case an even more complex one to crack.
In light of the sensitivity of the information compromised, many are taking a keen interest in this case and trying to piece together the storyline, primarily as a way of stopping damage which can still be prevented. It must have come as a shock to many that the company which they had hired to protect their most sensitive information, was actually the one compromising it. Lessons will certainly be gleaned as to the best way to prevent such a case from recurring in the future, potentially by keeping defensive cyber security needs in house, or conducting more rigorous due diligence prior to out sourcing. The risks have been shown to be too high and the damage too extensive to not invest significant resources in pre-emptive measures.
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