Claims of ‘cyber-attack' dismissed by UK space and laser lab in Didcot
The Rutherford Appleton Laboratory is based in Harwell Science and Innovation Campus at Chilton near Didcot.
Initially set up in the 1950s, it has around 1,200 staff working across its Central Laser Facility, Diamond Light Source, Space Centre and Particle Physics Department.
It is operated by the Science and Technology Facilities Council (STFC), a government agency set up almost 20 years ago.
An interior view of its ISIS Neutron and Muon Source Earlier this week a person who wished to remain anonymous said that the laboratory had been suffering 'disruptive and very frequent internet issues thought to be due to cyber-attacks'.
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They said there have been days when there's been no connectivity for hours at the pioneering UK scientific research facility.
In response, STFC confirmed that something happened on Monday June 16 but refused to disclose what, other than it wasn't the result of a hacker.
The spokesperson said: 'There was no cyberattack and systems were back to normal before 5pm. We do not talk about operational activities outside STFC.'
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The danger of computer hackers has been a well-publicised topic in recent months with Marks and Spencer's online services disrupted since April.
Last week, the retailer reopened its website to shoppers although it has been estimated the cost of the attack – caused in part by human error – will be around £300 million.
Speculation has been mounting that it was caused by hacking community Scattered Spider, but that has not been confirmed.
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