A federal contractor learned a hard lesson about the necessity of stringent cybersecurity measures when handling sensitive government information. Twin brothers with a history of hacking-related offenses exploited their lingering access after being terminated to compromise and delete nearly 100 government databases. The incident highlights a critical flaw in how quickly access is revoked following the termination of employees, prompting discussions on cybersecurity protocol improvements needed in government sectors.
Breach of Government Databases Highlights Security Flaws
The breach involving the twin brothers draws attention to the flawed security protocols employed by some federal contractors handling sensitive systems. After their termination, the brothers allegedly utilized their remaining access to delete databases connected to Homeland Security and other federal agencies. The incident exposes the risks posed by delays in cutting off access for recently dismissed employees.
Flaws in Termination Protocols Endanger Sensitive Data
The delay in revoking access following employment termination presents a significant security risk, as demonstrated in this recent breach. The failure to promptly eliminate the twins’ access highlights a weak link in existing cybersecurity practices. Without immediate revocation, recently dismissed employees can exploit dormant access to cause significant damage.
Lack of immediate access revocation increases vulnerability
Sensitive data link
TPRM report: https://www.rankiteo.com/company/cherokee-federal
"id": "che1764957982",
"linkid": "cherokee-federal",
"type": "Breach",
"date": "2025-12-05T00:00:00.000Z",
"severity": "100",
"impact": "5",
"explanation": "Attack threatening the organization's existence"{'incident': {'affected_entities': [{'customers_affected': 'Homeland Security '
'and other federal '
'agencies',
'industry': 'Defense/Government Services',
'location': None,
'name': 'Federal contractor (unnamed)',
'size': None,
'type': 'Government Contractor'}],
'attack_vector': 'Exploiting lingering access post-termination',
'data_breach': {'data_encryption': None,
'data_exfiltration': None,
'file_types_exposed': None,
'number_of_records_exposed': None,
'personally_identifiable_information': None,
'sensitivity_of_data': 'High '
'(government-sensitive '
'information)',
'type_of_data_compromised': 'Government '
'databases'},
'description': 'A federal contractor experienced a cyber '
'incident where twin brothers with a history of '
'hacking-related offenses exploited their '
'lingering access after being terminated to '
'compromise and delete nearly 100 government '
'databases. The incident highlights flaws in '
'termination protocols and access revocation for '
'sensitive government systems.',
'impact': {'brand_reputation_impact': 'Severe reputational '
'damage to the federal '
'contractor',
'conversion_rate_impact': None,
'customer_complaints': None,
'data_compromised': 'Nearly 100 government databases '
'deleted',
'downtime': None,
'financial_loss': None,
'identity_theft_risk': None,
'legal_liabilities': None,
'operational_impact': 'Significant disruption to '
'government operations',
'payment_information_risk': None,
'revenue_loss': None,
'systems_affected': 'Government databases connected '
'to Homeland Security and other '
'federal agencies'},
'initial_access_broker': {'backdoors_established': None,
'data_sold_on_dark_web': None,
'entry_point': None,
'high_value_targets': None,
'reconnaissance_period': None},
'lessons_learned': 'The incident underscores the critical need '
'for immediate access revocation following '
'employee termination, especially for those '
'with access to sensitive systems.',
'post_incident_analysis': {'corrective_actions': 'Immediate '
'access '
'revocation '
'protocols, '
'enhanced '
'monitoring of '
'terminated '
'employee '
'accounts, and '
'stricter '
'access '
'controls for '
'sensitive '
'systems',
'root_causes': 'Delayed access '
'revocation for '
'terminated employees, '
'inadequate monitoring '
'of dormant accounts'},
'ransomware': {'data_encryption': None,
'data_exfiltration': None,
'ransom_demanded': None,
'ransom_paid': None,
'ransomware_strain': None},
'recommendations': 'Implement strict and immediate access '
'revocation protocols for terminated '
'employees. Enhance monitoring of dormant '
'accounts and enforce multi-factor '
'authentication for sensitive systems.',
'references': [{'date_accessed': None,
'source': 'Incident Description',
'url': None}],
'regulatory_compliance': {'fines_imposed': None,
'legal_actions': None,
'regulations_violated': None,
'regulatory_notifications': None},
'response': {'adaptive_behavioral_waf': None,
'communication_strategy': None,
'containment_measures': None,
'enhanced_monitoring': None,
'incident_response_plan_activated': None,
'law_enforcement_notified': None,
'network_segmentation': None,
'on_demand_scrubbing_services': None,
'recovery_measures': None,
'remediation_measures': None,
'third_party_assistance': None},
'threat_actor': 'Twin brothers with hacking-related offenses',
'title': 'Breach of Government Databases by Terminated Employees',
'type': 'Data Breach, Unauthorized Access, Data Deletion',
'vulnerability_exploited': 'Delayed access revocation for '
'terminated employees'}}