- “Significant amount” of stolen data at the Legal Aid Agency
- Up to 2.1 million accessible records, the hacking group says
- Online legal aid systems taken offline
The British Ministry of Justice (MOJ) revealed that a cyber attack on the legal aid system has led to the theft of a “significant quantity” of data, including judicial lockers.
The MOJ was alerted to the attack on April 23 when the data dating from 2010 was accessible by the attackers.
Earlier this month, the MOJ said that it was investigating a “security incident” and that payment information had potentially been accessible. The group responsible for the attack declared that it had accessed 2.1 million data, but the MOJ did not confirm this number.
“Large quantity” of stolen data
The MOJ said that data accessible by attackers “may have included the contact details and addresses of candidates, their birth dates, national identity numbers, criminal history, employment status and financial data such as contribution amounts, debts and payments.”
The CEO of the legal aid agency, Jane Harbottle, apologized for violation, adding that the violation “will be shocking and overwhelming for people”. The MOJ works with the National British Agency Crime and the National Cyber Security Center to secure the systems, and the information commissioner was informed.
The legal aid agency is responsible for providing legal aid financing to more than 2,000 suppliers. The amount administered in 2023/24 amounted to approximately 2.3 billion pounds sterling. The agency’s online digital services were released after the attack.
The MOJ recommended anyone who has asked for legal aid since 2010 to take measures to protect themselves, including increased vigilance against telephone calls and unknown text messages, as well as updating or replacing low or reused passwords.
“If you are in doubt about someone with whom you communicate online or by phone, you must check their identity independently before providing them with information,” said the ministry.
Apart from personal data, it is likely that the information relating to lawyers, lawyers and other organizations, including non -profit organizations, were accessible by pirates during the attack.
“The recent cyber attack against the legal aid agency is another example of the real world’s impact of digital vulnerabilities. Cybersecurity advisor, ESET.
“This underlines how essential it is for public organizations and government agencies to invest in stronger cyber-defenses, faster update times and better training as well as being transparent immediately when things are happening. Delays in the notification of victims or waves renovations can often worsen damage, whether it is a government agency or a private enterprise. ”
Via Bbc
