http://www.2theadvocate.com/stories/020205/new_hacking001.shtml By ADRIAN ANGELETTE Advocate Staff Writer 02.02.05 A state computer worker testified Tuesday that he did nothing wrong when he used the identifications of other state workers, including his boss, to gain access to computer files and to raise his access level in state computer systems. Andrew Mata, 44, claims he was not given the correct access level when he started work with his new job at the state and he used another computer worker's identification to set his access level to where he thinks it should have been. Mata also admitted getting into files that pertained to an investigation that ultimately led to his indictment. Mata testified that his new boss, John Pourciau, instructed him to find out what he could about the investigation. Mata has been on trial for more than a week on a charge of offenses against intellectual property. Mata testified that he was hired by the Louisiana Department of Health and Hospitals to be the administrator of the computer system that handled Medicaid for the state. Mata had worked at the state Department of Social Services before leaving for the Health and Hospitals job. Shortly after starting the job at Health and Hospitals, Mata testified that he tried to start work and thought he would have the same security clearances as he had with the Social Services. Mata testified he discovered a computer worker with Social Services, Bobby Collins, had lowered his access level. Prosecutor Mark Pethke said Mata used Collins' computer system identification to enter a "back door" of the system and raise his access level to that of an administrator -- a move that granted Mata broad access into Social Services systems. Mata testified that he did not consider this to be hacking into the state computer system, as prosecutors allege, because the program he entered was still in the testing phase and there was no data stored on the program at the time. "It's a test system. You are supposed to try to break it. If it breaks you fix it or go find something to replace it with," Mata testified. Pethke contends that Social Services workers kept removing Mata's elevated access clearance because he was no longer a Social Services employee and he wasn't supposed to have access to many sensitive files the office maintains. Mata testified he worked for Social Services for about 10 years and left the agency on good terms. He said he does not understand why Social Services employees were monitoring his actions just four days after he started his new job with Health and Hospitals. The investigation of Mata began in the spring of 1999. Mata testified that he needed the access because of Y2K problems that the state was concerned about at the time. Mata testified that the investigation and its consequences have been stressful on him and his family. "I want to clear my name and move on," Mata testified. The charge of offenses against intellectual property carries a penalty of up to five years in prison and a fine of up to $10,000. Mata was the last person to testify Tuesday in the trial. State District Judge Richard Anderson recessed the trial until today. When the trial resumes, Pethke and defense attorney Lewis Unglesby will make their closing arguments. Jurors are expected to get the case after lunch today. _________________________________________ Bellua Cyber Security Asia 2005 - http://www.bellua.com/bcs2005
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