London Councils Hit by Cyberattacks Disrupting Public Services and Raising Security Concerns

 

Multiple local authorities across London have been hit by cyber incidents affecting operations and public services, according to reports emerging overnight. The attacks have disrupted essential council functions, including communication systems and digital access, prompting heightened concern among officials and cybersecurity experts. 

Initial reporting from the BBC confirmed that several councils experienced operational setbacks due to the attack. Hackney Council elevated its cybersecurity alert level to the highest classification, while Westminster City Council acknowledged challenges with public contact systems. The Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea also confirmed an active investigation into the breach.

Internal messages seen by the Local Democracy Reporting Service reportedly advised employees to follow emergency cybersecurity protocols and noted that at least one affected council temporarily shut down its networks to prevent further compromise. 

In a public statement, Kensington and Chelsea Council confirmed the incident and stated that it was working alongside cybersecurity consultants and the U.K. National Cyber Security Centre to secure systems and restore functionality. The council also confirmed that it shares certain IT infrastructure with Westminster City Council, and both organisations are coordinating their response.

However, Hackney Council later clarified that it was not impacted by this specific incident, describing reports linking it to the breach as inaccurate. 

This article has been indexed from CySecurity News – Latest Information Security and Hacking Incidents

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