Former GCHQ Intern Faces a Potential Prison Sentence After Leaking 'Top Secret' Data
London, UK - Hasaan Arshad, a 25-year-old former intern at Government Communications Headquarters (GCHQ) from Rochdale, Greater Manchester, faces a potential prison sentence after admitting to compromising national security. Arshad pleaded guilty to an offence under the Computer Misuse Act at the Old Bailey, risking "serious damage" by taking highly sensitive data from his workplace.
The court heard that on August 24th, 2022, Arshad took his personal mobile phone into a top-secret area of GCHQ and connected it to a secure workstation. He then allegedly transferred 'top secret' data, the government's most sensitive information, from a secure computer to his phone. According to Ministry of Justice security guidance, compromising data classified as 'top secret' could lead to widespread loss of life or threaten the security and economic well-being of the country and its allies.
.jpg)
Further investigation revealed that Arshad subsequently transferred the data from his phone to a hard drive connected to his personal computer at home. The breach led to his arrest on September 22nd, 2022, and a search of his residence.
Arshad pleaded guilty to the charge under Section 3ZA of the Computer Misuse Act 1990, which pertains to "unauthorised acts causing, or creating risk of, serious damage." The prosecution argued that Arshad intended to cause serious damage or was reckless as to whether such damage was caused.
His lawyer, Nina Grahame KC, stated that Arshad admitted the offence on the "basis of recklessness."
The court was also informed that Arshad had previously admitted to two separate charges of making indecent photographs of a child, relating to images discovered between September 7th and 23rd, 2022.
Mrs. Justice McGowan adjourned sentencing for all charges until June 13th. She ordered a pre-sentence report and granted Arshad continued bail with specific conditions, including a ban on accessing the dark web.
The Senior Judge had previously ruled that parts of Arshad's case would be heard in a closed session, excluding the press and public, due to the sensitive nature of the information involved. The outcome of the sentencing on June 13th should determine the consequences of Arshad's actions and the potential damage caused by the data breach.
The court heard that on August 24th, 2022, Arshad took his personal mobile phone into a top-secret area of GCHQ and connected it to a secure workstation. He then allegedly transferred 'top secret' data, the government's most sensitive information, from a secure computer to his phone. According to Ministry of Justice security guidance, compromising data classified as 'top secret' could lead to widespread loss of life or threaten the security and economic well-being of the country and its allies.
.jpg)
Further investigation revealed that Arshad subsequently transferred the data from his phone to a hard drive connected to his personal computer at home. The breach led to his arrest on September 22nd, 2022, and a search of his residence.
Arshad pleaded guilty to the charge under Section 3ZA of the Computer Misuse Act 1990, which pertains to "unauthorised acts causing, or creating risk of, serious damage." The prosecution argued that Arshad intended to cause serious damage or was reckless as to whether such damage was caused.
His lawyer, Nina Grahame KC, stated that Arshad admitted the offence on the "basis of recklessness."
The court was also informed that Arshad had previously admitted to two separate charges of making indecent photographs of a child, relating to images discovered between September 7th and 23rd, 2022.
Mrs. Justice McGowan adjourned sentencing for all charges until June 13th. She ordered a pre-sentence report and granted Arshad continued bail with specific conditions, including a ban on accessing the dark web.
The Senior Judge had previously ruled that parts of Arshad's case would be heard in a closed session, excluding the press and public, due to the sensitive nature of the information involved. The outcome of the sentencing on June 13th should determine the consequences of Arshad's actions and the potential damage caused by the data breach.
Comments
Send your story in to editor@rochdalevaliant.uk
Post a Comment