- Three London boroughs that share technology are affected by the same incident
- Experts suspect it is a ransomware attack
- Nothing more will be said until the investigation is complete.
Three London boroughs have been hit by a mysterious cyber security incident that has paralyzed many essential services, including phone lines and online reporting systems.
The Royal Boroughs of Kensington and Chelsea, Westminster City Council and the London Borough of Hammersmith and Fulham, three boroughs that share a number of IT services, were affected, which may explain the link between this attack and these three boroughs.
Currently, residents cannot contact authorities through normal channels. Some computer systems were also shut down as a precaution and signs were posted with emergency contact information.
London councilors victims of cyber attacks
Since the outage began, emergency and business continuity plans have been activated and additional resources deployed to support vulnerable residents.
In contrast, Kensington and Chelsea approved he “doesn’t have all the answers (yet).” The council said it would not provide further details at this stage as it is working with the National Crime Agency and the National Cyber Security Centre.
“At this stage it is too early to say who did this and why, but we are investigating whether data has been compromised, which is common,” the council added.
Kevin Beaumont, cyber security expert critical The consulting firm used the sham of an IT incident, indicating that it was likely a ransomware attack by a shared services consulting provider. So far, no ransomware group appears to have claimed responsibility.
Check Point chief Graeme Stewart admitted the incident “shows all the signs of a serious intervention”.
Westminster and Hammersmith & Fulham informed residents via a banner on their websites, but like Kensington & Chelsea did not issue a more detailed statement.
The councils have also notified the UK Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO) and the Metropolitan Police’s cyber crime unit, which is conducting its own investigation.