The Metropolitan Police was on red alert this evening after data on officers and staff was hacked in a massive security breach.
All 47,000 employees were warned of the risk of having their photos, names and ranks stolen when cyber crooks broke into the IT systems of a contractor that prints out orders and staff passes.
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The Metropolitan Police is on red alert after data on officers and staff was hacked in a massive security breachCredit: Rex
The information taken also includes verification levels and ID numbers.
Met Police Federation vice president Rick Prior said: “Metropolitan police officers are out on the streets of London taking on some of the toughest and most dangerous roles imaginable in catching criminals and protecting the public.
“The release of their personal information to the public in this way will cause incredible concern and anger among colleagues.
“We share that feeling of anger. This is a stunning breach of security.”
The Met has called in the National Crime Agency (NCA) to investigate amid fears that stolen passes could be used by terrorists or organized crime networks.
Security fears have increased as it emerged that senior officials and officers working on top secret operations were affected by the breach.
High-ranking members of the Met’s senior management will be affected, including commissioner Sir Mark Rowley and his deputy Dame Lynne Owens.
Counter-terrorist officers and officers tasked with guarding the royal family were also exposed.
Undercover officers may have to be withdrawn from the field – forcing officers to pull the trigger on key operations.
As the nightmare unfolded, Metropolitan Police Service bosses sent a message to staff urging them to “remain vigilant”.
They added: “The company had access to the names, ranks, photographs, clearance levels and identification numbers of officers and staff. It did not contain personal information such as address, telephone numbers or financial details.”
Earlier this month it emerged that data on 10,000 members of the Northern Ireland Police Force had been mistakenly published.
Former Met chief John O’Connor called the latest breach “utterly outrageous”.
He said: “Anyone using this information to create a warrant or pass can gain access to a police station or secure area.
“There is also great concern that photographs of police in undercover units, surveillance or in sensitive areas such as counter-terrorism could fall into the wrong hands. This data breach put police security at risk.”
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The information taken also includes verification levels and ID numbers Credit: Alamy
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Source: newstars.edu.vn