- Cyber Attack Exposes Personal Information of Police Officers
- Thousands of Police Officers’ Identities at Risk in Ransomware Attack
- National Criminal Investigation Launched as Cybersecurity Breach Raises Concerns
The personal information of police officers has been compromised after a company was the target of a cyber attack.
Greater Manchester Police (GMP) personnel are among those whose information is held by the Stockport company that manufactures identification cards.
The organization affirmed its awareness of the ransomware attack.
Thousands of police officers’ identities are at risk of being made public as a result of the hack.
One officer expressed concern regarding the identities of covert officers, despite the public availability of the names of many officers.
Assistant Chief Constable Colin McFarlane acknowledged the gravity of the situation.
He stated, “At this time, it is not believed that this data contains financial information.”
We’ve contacted the Information Commissioner’s Office and are doing everything possible to keep employees informed, answer their concerns, and make them feel supported.
The attack is being regarded with the utmost gravity, and a nationwide criminal investigation has been launched.
The National Crime Agency confirmed that it is in charge of the investigation.
‘Worrying’
A significant data breach occurred within the Police Service of Northern Ireland just over a month ago.
In that incident, the surnames and initials of 10,000 police employees were inadvertently included in a response to a Freedom of Information request.
The information was then made available online before being removed.
A comparable security breach involving one of the Metropolitan Police’s suppliers also alerted the department last month.
Former FBI agent and director of cyber security at Microsoft UK, Ed Gibson, stated that any report of hacking of law enforcement data was “extremely concerning.
“You don’t want this stuff falling into the wrong hands,” he added.
He stated that any business confronted with a ransom demand should “investigate, but not comply.
This type of extortion is extremely profitable for criminals, he said, adding, “It used to be a horse’s head in the bed, but now it’s an email to your IT department.”
Mike Peake, chairman of the Greater Manchester Police Federation, stated, “Our colleagues perform some of the most difficult and dangerous tasks imaginable to apprehend criminals and protect the public.”
Many cops will also be worried if their personal information is revealed to the public.
“We are collaborating with the force to mitigate the potential dangers and risks this breach poses to our coworkers.”
Elizabeth Baxter, head of cyber investigations at the Information Commissioner’s Office, stated that police officers and personnel have a right to be concerned when their information is not protected.
She stated, “This incident has been reported to us, and we will now investigate what transpired and ask questions on behalf of those affected.
