While working as a data analyst for TSA at the Center, Duchak is said to have attempted to tamper with servers containing information from the United States Marshal's Office Warrant Information Network, and from the Terrorist Screening Database. He was tasked with updating CSOC servers with information from these two systems as part of his regular duties.
Duchak, who was employed by the TSA from August 2004 until October 2009 as a data analyst at the CSOC, was given notice on October 15 that his employment would be terminated at the end of that month. The complaint said he attempted to tamper with the databases around a week later.
Th46 year old Duchak, who is a resident of Colorado Springs faces up to 10 years in prison and a $250 000 fine for the offenses.
The TSA's Office of Inspection and IT Security work closely with the FBI, and the Department of Homeland Security Office of Inspector General.
“Prosecution of the defendant is critical to protecting the integrity of the government’s security databases,” said U.S. Attorney David M. Gaouette.
This isn't the first insider security breach that has been suffered by the TSA. In December, five employees were placed on administrative leave after sensitive guidelines concerning passenger screening were posted on the web.