Two Security Experts Plead Guilty in BlackCat Ransomware Case

Two U.S.-based cybersecurity professionals pleaded guilty to conspiring to deploy ALPHV/BlackCat ransomware against five companies across the United States between April and December 2023; they extorted at least one victim for approximately $1.2 million (split and laundered), face sentencing on March 12, 2026, and potentially up to 20 years in prison. The report highlights insider abuse of trusted access, identifies victim sectors (medical device, pharmaceutical, healthcare, engineering, and drone manufacturing), and situates the case within broader law enforcement efforts to disrupt ALPHV/BlackCat activity.