SAN JOSE (KCBS)  -- A man who talked his way inside several Silicon Valley companies by posing as a security guard or information technology contractor, pleaded guilty on Monday to more than 20 counts of burglary, hacking and identity theft.

From September 2006 to March 2008, Andrew Madrid used the skills that once kept him gainfully employed as a network administrator to steal passwords and install spyware at several high-tech companies based in San Jose.

  KCBS' Matt Bigler reports

“The same skills that can be used to protect a network can also be used to compromise a network,” said KCBS technology analyst Larry Magid. “In fact, there are hackers conventions every year where good guys and shady guys get together to exchange ideas.”

The 34-year-old committed the crimes while out on bail on drug charges. He faces up to 12 years in prison when sentenced in January.

(jro)