Cyber Attack on London Boroughs: What You Need to Know

It’s not yet known who was behind the attack, what the motive was, or if data has been compromised. However, Graeme Stewart, head of public sector at Check Point, said the situation had “all the signs of a serious intrusion”.

Meanwhile, cyber-security expert Nathan Webb told the BBC there was a “possibility personal data may have been compromised”, urging residents in the affected boroughs to be cautious.

He added: “Attackers will frequently use publicity around attacks to further target victims, so any correspondence around the incident should be treated with caution.”

Which London Boroughs Were Affected?

The cyber attack affected the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea (RBKC), with the council informing the Information Commissioner’s Office about the incident.

An internal RBKC memo, reviewed by the Local Democracy Reporting Service (LDRS), indicates that the council is keeping parts of its networks shut as a “precautionary measure”.

The note says staff can continue accessing the guest wi-fi or mobile hotspots in its offices, but the affected systems may not return to normal “for some days”.

It urged staff to “remain vigilant”. Other London councils have been encouraged to advise staff not to open suspicious emails, click on unexpected links in emails or verify unusual requests.

Response to the Attack

RBKC said: “We don’t have all the answers yet, as the management of this incident is still ongoing.”

It added: “At this stage it is too early to say who did this, and why, but we are investigating to see if any data has been compromised – which is standard practice.

“Our IT teams worked through the night yesterday and a number of successful mitigations were put in place, and we remain vigilant should there be any further incidents or issues.”

A Kensington and Chelsea Council spokesman said: “We identified the issue quickly on Monday and are working with cyber specialists and the National Cyber Security Centre to protect data and restore services.

“We’ve activated business continuity and emergency plans to ensure we are still delivering critical services to residents, focusing on supporting the most vulnerable.

“We are investigating the cause of the incident and will provide more information when it is available. We would like to apologise for any disruption and thank residents for their patience as we work to bring systems back online safely.”

What Does This Mean for Residents?

Residents in the affected boroughs are being urged to be cautious and to treat any correspondence around the incident with caution.

It is possible that personal data may have been compromised, and residents should be aware of any suspicious activity.

The council is working to restore services and protect data, and residents can expect updates on the situation as more information becomes available.

Preventing Future Attacks

To prevent future cyber attacks, residents and staff are being advised not to open suspicious emails, click on unexpected links in emails or verify unusual requests.

It is also important to remain vigilant and to report any suspicious activity to the authorities.

By taking these precautions, residents and staff can help to protect themselves and their data from cyber threats.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the cyber attack on the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea is a serious incident that highlights the importance of cyber security.

Residents and staff must be cautious and vigilant, and the council must work to restore services and protect data.

By working together, we can prevent future cyber attacks and protect ourselves and our data from cyber threats.

FAQs

Q: What happened in the cyber attack?

A: The cyber attack affected the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea, with the council informing the Information Commissioner’s Office about the incident.

Q: Who was behind the attack?

A: It is not yet known who was behind the attack, and the council is investigating the cause of the incident.

Q: Was personal data compromised?

A: It is possible that personal data may have been compromised, and the council is investigating to see if any data has been compromised.

Q: What should residents do to protect themselves?

A: Residents should be cautious and treat any correspondence around the incident with caution, and not open suspicious emails, click on unexpected links in emails or verify unusual requests.

Q: How is the council responding to the attack?

A: The council is working with cyber specialists and the National Cyber Security Centre to protect data and restore services, and has activated business continuity and emergency plans to ensure critical services are still delivered to residents.