Cybersecurity Negotiator Gets 70 Months for Helping BlackCat Extort Victims
Ransomware negotiator sentenced to 70 months for aiding BlackCat attacks and extorting US victims.
Angelo Martino, a former ransomware negotiator, has been sentenced to 70 months in federal prison for his role in assisting the BlackCat (ALPHV) ransomware group. He used his access to confidential client information to aid the attackers in pressuring victims for higher ransom payments. Martino, along with former cybersecurity professionals Kevin Martin and Ryan Goldberg, operated as BlackCat affiliates, deploying ransomware and laundering proceeds, including a $1.2 million Bitcoin payment from one victim.
AI summary of the linked source. Not reviewed by an editor. How this works
The lesson from this incident
Full lessonAngelo Martino exploited privileged access to confidential client information gained through his role as a cybersecurity negotiator to actively assist the BlackCat ransomware group in pressuring victims. This case represents a severe insider threat scenario where trust placed in a security professional was weaponized against the very organizations seeking protection. It highlights the critical danger of granting third-party vendors and consultants unrestricted access to sensitive data without oversight or controls. The incident underscores that supply chain risk extends to human actors — not just software — and that even those hired to defend organizations can become adversaries.
Indicators of Compromise
Extracted by AI from the linked source. Not reviewed by an editor. How this works
- malware — ALPHV
- malware — BlackCat