UK officials have unveiled a data breach affecting a huge number of serving military personnel. The breach is attributed to unnamed “hostile and malign actors,” has compromised sensitive information.
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The breach compromised an estimated 270,000 payroll records belonging to nearly all members of the UK Armed Forces.
Personal information exposed includes names, bank details, addresses, and national insurance numbers of current and former army, navy, and air force members, as well as reservists.
The breach was discovered recently, prompting immediate action from the MoD to tackle further damage. Military sources indicate that hackers believed to be from China.
Defence Secretary Grant Shapps is scheduled to address the breach in the House of Commons, outlining a multi-point plan to support and protect affected personnel.
The MoD has taken the compromised system offline and is conducting thorough investigations to assess the extent of the breach.
While formal attribution has not been made, indications point towards Chinese hackers as the likely perpetrators aligning with previous cyberattacks linked to China.
The Chinese government has denied involvement addressing non-interference in other countries’ internal affairs.
This breach adds to a series of cyber threats faced by the UK, including previous attacks attributed to both China and Russia.
The government’s long-term defense strategy highlights the cyber threats from state and non-state actors.
The breach has risks to national security as the compromised data could potentially be exploited for malicious purposes.
Affected personnel are advised to remain vigilant against potential fraud and phishing scams, with the MoD offering support, including credit checks to monitor unauthorized use of bank details.
Investigations are also focusing on potential failings by the contractors responsible for managing the outsourced payroll system on behalf of the MoD.
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SSCL, a subsidiary of Sopra Steria is responsible for handling forces’ pay and pension services, catering to a vast number of military personnel and veterans.
The UK government, led by Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, has condemned such cyber intrusions, labeling China as a significant state-based threat to economic security.
The breach was detected within a payroll system managed by an external contractor, prompting immediate action from defense authorities.
Defense Secretary Grant Shapps is set to address the House of Commons, outlining a multi-point plan to support and safeguard affected personnel.
While investigations are ongoing, there is currently no evidence of data theft or manipulation. However, authorities remain vigilant, offering credit checks to personnel to monitor any unauthorized use of bank details.
While the UK government refrains from naming the responsible party, suspicions point towards Chinese hackers, saying previous cyberattacks linked to state-backed entities.
Cabinet Minister Mel Stride declined to confirm allegations against China, addressing the investigation. Reports suggest that the hackers are believed to originate from China, with previous instances of cyber espionage targeting UK interests.
The Chinese government denies involvement dismissing allegations as politically motivated and urging against the propagation of “China threat narratives.”
In March, the UK and US accused Chinese hackers of the malicious cyberattacks targeting officials, journalists, corporations, and pro-democracy activists.
Previous breaches, including the hacking of the Electoral Commission in August 2021 and allegations of Russian interference in UK politics underline the threat posed by state and non-state actors in cyberspace.
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