Posted on 05/13/2005 8:49:39 AM PDT by Brian Mosely
ATLANTA (AP) — A computer programmer for a sensitive state agency, who apparently was hired without undergoing a background check, has been charged with computer intrusion and theft for accessing Georgia driver’s license files without authorization.
The Georgia Technology Authority said Asif Siddiqui was arrested April 28 at the agency’s offices near the state Capitol after the agency discovered he had logged into the database outside of work hours without having a reason to do so.
“He used to work on this system but there was no reason for him to be involved in any way” when the intrusion was found, said Tom Wade, the agency’s director.
The agency has no idea how many files were accessed or what, if any, personal information may have been compromised, Wade said. The files potentially included names, addresses, home telephone numbers and Social Security numbers of thousands of Georgians.
An investigation by the Georgia Bureau of Investigation will help determine if any other state databases were tapped and potentially compromised, Wade said.
“Because of the confidential nature of the files and because he was going in during off-work hours and he had no reason to be doing it, we contacted the attorney general and the GBI and asked them to investigate,” he said.
The Georgia Technology Authority is the state’s data arm, managing its databases and communications systems.
Siddiqui was hired to work in the agency in May 2001. Wade said Siddiqui apparently wasn’t required to undergo a background screening because he had previously worked for the Department of Natural Resources and the Department of Human Resources.
Wade said he intends to tighten security at the agency.
“We have been reviewing and putting together tighter internal controls,” Wade said. “We’re limited access on a need-to-know basis, checking our logs and monitoring.”
No one answered the telephone at a home listing for Siddiqui on Friday.
"Asif Siddiqui"- that's a Norwegian name, isn't it?
/sarcasm
He is been around a while. I googled his name on Usenet and came up with quite a few hits going back to atleast 1995. Here is a link to the search.
http://groups-beta.google.com/groups?hl=en&q=%22Asif+Siddiqui%22&qt_s=Search
His email address is asif @mail.dnr.state.ga.us, which led to believe this is the same guy.
Why anyone hires these people is utterly beyond me.
The files potentially included names, addresses, home telephone numbers and Social Security numbers of thousands of Georgians.
D'OH!
His nickname is Bubba, right?
He wasn't vetted,(probably the only one) yet, every law abiding born here- lifetime citizen will need to present 4 forms of ID to renew an already verified drivers license. Yep, Homeland Secrewity is on the case and protecting us all.
Asif: As if.
LOL
I wonder if someone will turn me into the authorities?
Makes me wonder what else they had on him before calling in GBI. Must be something.
...and suddenly he's a 'l33t haXorz'?
That's Al-Bubba, sir. ;)
Interesting timing.
Of course, enforcing our current laws against illegal crossing of the border and overstaying visas is out of the question. We need further intrusion into the privacy of law-abiding citizens.
Ping
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