Twin brothers wipe 96 gov't databases minutes after being fired

Two brothers are facing charges after allegedly wiping 96 databases containing US government information within minutes of being terminated from their job last year. The Akhter twins both worked for the same employer with access to government systems.

This is exactly why most companies now cut your access before telling you you're fired. It's not about being cold or impersonal. It's about the very real risk that someone with hurt feelings and admin credentials can cause serious damage in seconds.

The case underscores a basic security principle that applies whether you're managing a two-person startup or government contracts. Access should be revoked immediately when someone exits, ideally before they know they're leaving. Waiting even a few minutes can be catastrophic.

For anyone building or managing systems with multiple users, this is your reminder to have an offboarding checklist that starts with access revocation. Automate it if possible. Make it the first step, not an afterthought.

The brothers are now facing legal consequences, but the damage to those 96 databases was already done. The government data they allegedly destroyed can't be undeleted with an apology.

If you're working with AI tools that have elevated permissions or access to sensitive data, the same logic applies. Build in role-based access controls and audit logs. Assume that someday you'll need to instantly revoke someone's access, and make sure your systems can handle that.