- ‘Significant amount’ of stolen data from the Legal Aid Agency
- Up to 2.1 million records accessed, Hacking Group says
- Online online legal assistance systems
The United Kingdom Ministry of Justice (MOJ) has revealed that a cyber attack on the legal assistance system has led to the theft of a “significant amount” of data, including criminal records.
The Moj was alerted to the attack on April 23 when the attackers accessed the data dating from the data dating from 2010.
Earlier this month, the Moj said he was investigating a “security incident” and that he had accessed payment information. The group responsible for the attack said it accessed 2.1 million data, but the MME has not confirmed this number.
‘Significant amount’ of stolen data
The Moj said that the data accessed by the attackers “may have included contact data and addresses of the applicants, their birth dates, national identification numbers, criminal records, work status and financial data, such as contribution amounts, debts and payments.”
The executive director of the Legal Aid, Jane Harbottle agency issued an apology for the violation, added that the violation “will be shocking and annoying for people.” The MOJ is working with the National Crime Agency of the United Kingdom and the National Cyber Security Center to ensure the systems, and the Information Commissioner has been notified.
The Legal Assistance Agency is responsible for providing legal assistance funds to more than 2,000 suppliers. The amount administered in 2023/24 amounted to around £ 2.3 billion. The agency’s digital services have been disconnected as a result of the attack.
The MMI has recommended that anyone who has requested legal assistance since 2010 takes measures to protect, including greater surveillance against unknown telephone calls and text messages, as well as updating or replacing weak or reused passwords.
“If you have doubts about any person with whom you are communicating online or by phone, you must verify your identity independently before providing information,” the ministry said.
Outside personal data, hackers is likely to access information related to lawyers, lawyers and other organizations, including non -profit organizations during the attack.
“The recent cyber attack on the Legal Assistance Agency is another example of the impact of the real world of digital vulnerabilities. When the criminal record and other confidential personal data are exposed, it is not just a fault of IT, it is a violation of trust, privacy and even security in this case. Many of the affected people may already be in vulnerable situations in vulnerable situations, and now they could face the additional stress of not knowing that their additional stress Data will end or how they could end.
“It highlights how critic it is for public bodies and government agencies to invest in stronger cyber defenses, faster update times and better training, as well as being transparent immediately when things go wrong. Delays in the notification of victims or vague laps can often worse the damage, whether it is a government agency or a private company.”
Through BBC
