A big data breach endangers police in Northern Ireland

Danmark Nyheder Nyheder

A big data breach endangers police in Northern Ireland
Danmark Seneste Nyt,Danmark Overskrifter
  • 📰 TheEconomist
  • ⏱ Reading Time:
  • 90 sec. here
  • 3 min. at publisher
  • 📊 Quality Score:
  • News: 39%
  • Publisher: 92%

Seemingly coincidentally, Britain’s Electoral Commission has announced its own loss of sensitive data. Anything that weakens trust in elections would be grave indeed. But for now the blunder in Northern Ireland looks more serious

been put in charge of handling sensitive police data he could hardly have bungled worse. Unfortunately, in real life, publishing thousands of names of serving members of the Police Service of Northern Ireland is not funny. The service accidentally published online 345,000 pieces of data about its entire workforce—from the chief constable to his typist—of more than 10,000 people. Though they were removed from the initial site within hours, the information continues to circulate.

Elsewhere in the United Kingdom identifying all members of the police might rank as an inconvenience. In the province, where police face a generally high level of deadly threat, it is a serious security risk. Over 300 police officers were killed during the Troubles. Six months ago dissident republicans approached a police officer as he finished coaching a children’s football team, shot him several times and left him for dead.

The most sensitive data concern who works where. Listed by name are intelligence officers at ports and airports, bodyguards to senior politicians and judges, surveillance officers and almost 40 police at5’s Northern Ireland headquarters. A tiny number work in a clandestine unit described only as “secret” . Their names were made public, as were the names of several officers responsible for “information security”.

Also on August 8th, seemingly coincidentally, Britain’s Electoral Commission announced its own loss of sensitive data. In this case, said the commission, it was no accident but the result of a prolonged and “complex cyber-attack” that had enabled “hostile actors” to access some electoral registers containing millions of names and addresses of voters. Hackers also gained access to the commission’s emails and “control systems” in August 2021. They were not spotted for more than a year.

Anything that weakens trust in elections would be grave indeed. But for now the blunder in Northern Ireland looks the more serious. Jennifer Cobbe, who researches the tech and law at the University of Cambridge, said the Northern Ireland case “has the potential to be the worst data breach in UK history” when measured by its impact. The police system that is meant to prevent shambolic management of information evidently failed.

Vi har opsummeret denne nyhed, så du kan læse den hurtigt. Hvis du er interesseret i nyheden, kan du læse hele teksten her. Læs mere:

TheEconomist /  🏆 6. in UK

Danmark Seneste Nyt, Danmark Overskrifter

Similar News:Du kan også læse nyheder, der ligner denne, som vi har indsamlet fra andre nyhedskilder.

Finalists confirmed for Northern Ireland’s High Street Heroes awards 2023Finalists confirmed for Northern Ireland’s High Street Heroes awards 2023Record-breaking online poll yields 33 local businesses on the coveted shortlist which includes High Street of the Year nominees
Læs mere »

Police Service of Northern Ireland in major data breach affecting officers and civilian staff - reportPolice Service of Northern Ireland in major data breach affecting officers and civilian staff - report'It is regrettable, but it is simple human error.' Assistant Chief Constable Chris Todd apologises after a data breach exposed information relating to 'every police officer and member of police staff' working for PSNI. Latest: 📺 Sky 501 and Virgin 602
Læs mere »

Major data breach at Northern Ireland police hits thousands of officers and staffMajor data breach at Northern Ireland police hits thousands of officers and staffPolice Service of Nothern Ireland involved in major data breach of officers and civilian staff
Læs mere »

Every police officer in Northern Ireland has data compromised in 'monumental' breach due to human errorEvery police officer in Northern Ireland has data compromised in 'monumental' breach due to human errorThe PSNI Assistant Chief Constable admitted the breach was made in 'human error' and apologised to colleagues whose data was made public for two and a half to three hours.
Læs mere »

Northern Ireland police chief vows to stay on after huge data leak\n\t\t\tKeep abreast of significant corporate, financial and political developments around the world.\n\t\t\tStay informed and spot emerging risks and opportunities with independent global reporting, expert\n\t\t\tcommentary and analysis you can trust.\n\t\t
Læs mere »



Render Time: 2025-04-06 23:00:17