Your security failure was so bad we have to close the company …. NOT!

Who, Me? Welcome as soon as once more, mild reader, to the secure area we name Who, Me? during which Reg readers can confess to the naughty or not-quite-competent issues they did at work, realizing they won’t be judged.

Or will they?

This week meed a person we’ll Regomize as “Thaddeus”. Thaddeus was the chief technical officer of a company a decade or so again – a place of some authority, with staff who regarded up to him with trusting eyes.

Reporting to Thaddeus was a head of operations, who we’ll Regomize as “Max”.

As was acceptable, Max had entry to all of the agency’s computer systems and programs. Also, Max’s youthful brother was dwelling with him at the time, which Thaddeus knew about. All of this background is vital, belief me.

One morning, Max referred to as in to work to say he can be late. It appeared that his brother had enrolled in an internet course about “ethical hacking” and a few of his actions related to the course had attracted the consideration of the constabulary.

The consequence was the cyber crime squad arrived and, with sirens blaring and battering rams held excessive, raided Max’s residence, actually breaking down the door, shouting “POLICE POLICE” and confiscating each little bit of pc tools in the home.

You have to surprise what they thought he’d accomplished. Thaddeus, tragically, offered no element about the alleged hacking.

Max due to this fact instructed Thaddeus that he can be late, and likewise that one among the computer systems confiscated was a laptop computer that belonged to the company – an harmless bystander caught up in the maelstrom.

Thaddeus was understanding, and set off to clarify the scenario to administration.

At which level an imp whispered mischief into his ear. He went to see the HR supervisor, “Susan”, and requested her to play together with him.

• Support chap put PC into ‘drying mode’ and customers believed it was actual
• Student requested entry to analysis knowledge. And waited. And waited. And then hacked to get root
• Pager hack faxed issues up correctly, once more, and once more, and once more
• Defunct comms hyperlink related to nothing at a fireplace station – for 15 years

When Max arrived, Susan referred to as him into her workplace, the place Thaddeus was ready.

“Max,” he deadpanned, “our legal department has had a request from the police to provide them with all computers and systems to which you have access. Essentially this means we have to turn over our entire production system, so the firm is going to have to fold …”

Max, in Thaddeus’s phrases, “went dead white and collapsed in a chair.” Like he hadn’t already had a tough day.

Thankfully Susan did not fairly have Thaddeus’s composure and cracked up laughing, at which level Max realized a joke was afoot. He fastened Thaddeus with a glance and muttered “I will get you back.”

And honest sufficient too. We get numerous tales about staff pranking bosses right here at the Who, Me? desk, however a boss pranking an underling? Are there no guidelines?

As a postscript, Thaddeus says the police ultimately realized that Max’s brother wasn’t truly up to any in poor health, and returned all the pc tools. They even fastened the door and apologized.

Max, nevertheless, is but to get his revenge on Thaddeus.

So “Max” in case you’re on the market and this story sounds acquainted, here is your reminder. Thaddeus has it coming.

If you have ever obtained away with one thing at work that perhaps you ought not to have obtained away with, inform us about it in an electronic mail to Who, Me? and we’ll ease the burden of your conscience.