Cybercriminals have targeted the UK's Department for Education and a police database, exposing more than 740,000 pieces of data belonging to officials, staff and members of the public, according to the Guardian.
Key facts
- The Department for Education and a police database were targeted in a cyber-attack.
- More than 740,000 pieces of data were exposed, according to the Guardian.
- Stolen details include email addresses and phone numbers of parents and staff.
- Affected groups include government officials, senior school leaders, university staff, police officers and members of the public.
The UK’s Department for Education and a police database have been targeted by a cyber-attack that exposed more than 740,000 pieces of data, according to the Guardian.
The stolen information includes details of parents and staff, with email addresses and phone numbers among the data taken by cybercriminals, the outlet reported.
The Guardian said the breach affected a broad range of people, including government officials, senior school leaders, university staff, police officers and members of the public.
The scale of the incident, spanning both a central government department and a police database, points to sensitive personal contact information being placed at risk across multiple public bodies.
The Guardian’s report focuses on the theft of the data and the categories of people affected. Further details about how the attack was carried out and any official response were not included in the available source material.
Why it matters
Breaches involving government and police data can expose thousands of individuals to fraud, phishing and other targeted scams, especially when email addresses and phone numbers are stolen. Attacks on public institutions also raise wider questions about how well sensitive personal information is protected.
Frequently asked questions
What data was stolen in the attack?
According to the Guardian, more than 740,000 pieces of data were exposed, including email addresses and phone numbers of parents and staff.
Who was affected by the breach?
The Guardian reported that the affected individuals include government officials, senior school leaders, university staff, police officers and members of the public.
Which organisations were targeted?
The cyber-attack targeted the UK's Department for Education and a police database, according to the Guardian.