A former employee of Walt Disney World in Orlando, Florida, is facing serious allegations after being accused of hacking into servers to manipulate computer menus. The employee, who was fired from his job as a menu production manager last June, allegedly changed prices, added profanities, and altered allergy notifications to wrongly declare some items as safe for people with allergies.
The FBI conducted an investigation which led to the arrest of the former employee. His court-appointed attorney stated that he plans to plead not guilty once a formal indictment is filed. The attorney also mentioned that his client has been struggling with mental health issues since childhood and is currently seeking treatment from a psychiatrist.
Disney has not provided any comments on the case but did confirm that they caught the changes before the altered menus were sent to restaurants. The complaint stated that the alterations could have had potentially fatal consequences for customers with severe allergies. As a result of the attacks, Disney had to shut down its menu creation program for over a week, costing the company at least $150,000.
An internal investigation conducted by Disney identified the former employee as a potential suspect due to the contentious nature of his termination. His role involved creating and publishing menus for the company’s restaurants, giving him the access and knowledge needed to carry out the attacks. When FBI agents searched his home, the former employee denied any involvement in the hacking.
This incident highlights the importance of cybersecurity measures in protecting sensitive information and ensuring the safety of customers. Disney’s swift response to the situation helped prevent any harm from coming to individuals with allergies who could have been affected by the altered menus.
It serves as a reminder for companies to carefully monitor access to their systems and conduct thorough background checks on employees who have the ability to make significant changes that could impact the business and its customers. This case also sheds light on the potential risks associated with disgruntled employees who may seek revenge through malicious acts.
In conclusion, the former Disney employee’s alleged actions have had significant repercussions for the company and serve as a cautionary tale for businesses to prioritize cybersecurity and employee well-being to prevent similar incidents in the future.
