A cyberattack on the U.K.’s Legal Aid Agency(LAA) has compromised a vast trove of personal and financial data dating back to 2010, the government confirmed, raising concerns over the safety of thousands of legal aid applicants.

What Happened

  • On April 23, officials discovered a cyberattack on the agency’s online portal used by legal aid providers to log cases and receive government payments.

  • Immediate security measures were taken, and providers were warned their information, including financial data, may have been compromised.

  • On May 16, investigators determined the breach was more extensive than initially thought, with attackers accessing and downloading data on legal aid applicants.

What Data was Compromised

  • Names, addresses, and contact details

  • Dates of birth and national identification numbers

  • Criminal history and employment status

  • Financial records including debts and legal aid contribution amounts

What’s Next

  • The agency is working with the National Crime Agency and the National Cyber Security Centre.

  • The Information Commissioner has been notified, and the investigation remains ongoing.

Stay Vigilant !!

Source: hxxps[://]www[.]gov[.]uk/government/news/legal-aid-agency-data-breach

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