Edward Coristine brought two qualifications to his $140,000 government tech job: the online alias “Big Balls” and a resume featuring documented support for a cybercrime ring. The 19-year-old’s journey from helping hackers stalk an FBI agent to resetting passwords for federal systems reveals how porous government cybersecurity hiring has become – and why your tax dollars keep funding digital dumpster fires.
The Unqualified Rise of Big Balls in Federal IT
While most teenagers were perfecting their TikTok dances, Coristine was allegedly providing technical assistance to a Russian-linked cyber collective. His subsequent hiring by Elon Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) reads like a dark comedy – complete with KGB lineage and security clearance approvals. Cybersecurity experts compare the oversight to installing a pyromaniac as fire marshal, noting the position gave access to critical infrastructure systems.
The incident exposes what one former FBI cyber investigator calls “the resume black hole” in federal contracting. Proprietary hiring algorithms prioritize technical keywords over actual experience verification, while underfunded IT departments lack resources for proper background checks. It’s a system where “ethical hacking” certifications matter more than criminal records.
How Cybercrime Rings Exploit Government Tech Gaps
The IC3’s latest reports show a 217% increase in tech support scams targeting government systems since 2022. Attackers exploit three key vulnerabilities:
- Aging infrastructure with public-facing remote access portals
- Overworked help desk staff approving suspicious credential resets
- Third-party contractors with minimal vetting processes
Coristine’s case demonstrates how these weaknesses compound. His alleged cybercrime group specialized in social engineering – the same skills later used to troubleshoot systems for federal employees. It’s like hiring bank robbers to design vault security because they “understand locks.”
The Stupid-Evil Paradox in Cybersecurity Hiring
Washington’s tech talent crisis has created a dangerous dichotomy: unqualified candidates who shouldn’t have access versus malicious actors exploiting that access. The DOGE scandal sits squarely in the overlap – what security researchers call “the stupid-evil continuum.”
As automated attacks become more sophisticated, basic human vulnerabilities remain the weakest link. Coristine’s tenure highlights how even basic security protocols fail when organizations prioritize technical skills over integrity checks. Until federal agencies address this hiring blindspot, every IT help desk ticket becomes a potential national security risk.