Intel has found itself in the spotlight due to a significant breach of confidentiality involving one of its former employees. This incident, described as ‘information theft,’ involves the illicit acquisition of sensitive and classified data from within the company’s internal systems. The actions have left Intel grappling with both legal and security challenges.
Employee’s Alleged Data Breach After Layoff Notice
Amidst a wave of layoffs, a disgruntled Intel employee has allegedly absconded with a treasure trove of sensitive files. Reports suggest that Jinfeng Luo, who had been with Intel since 2014, was informed of his termination effective July 31st. In the days leading up to his departure, Luo is said to have downloaded a staggering 18,000 files, containing ‘top secret’ information, from the company’s database.
On July 23, Intel claims, Luo tried to download a file from his work laptop to an external hard drive. Internal company controls prevented that. But five days later, Intel says that Luo connected another storage device and downloaded 18,000 files.
-OregonLive
Legal Actions and Implications
Following the suspicious activity, Intel initiated an investigation that pointed to Luo as the perpetrator. In response, the company has pursued legal action, sending a lawsuit to Luo’s last known address in Seattle. Intel is seeking $250,000 in damages and a court injunction to prevent any dissemination of the stolen data. This breach highlights the tensions within the company, particularly following significant employee layoffs, which some core team members have found disheartening.
Currently, the lawsuit remains unresolved, and there has been no public response from Luo. The seriousness of the situation is underscored by the fact that Intel considers the stolen content to be ‘Top Secret,’ raising significant concerns within the organization.