Latest news with #legal aid
Yahoo
19-05-2025
- Yahoo
Private Data, Including Criminal Records, Stolen in Legal Aid Hack
A cyber-attack on the Legal Aid Agency's online system has led to the theft of sensitive private data, including criminal records. The Ministry of Justice (MoJ) confirmed the breach, which was first discovered on April 23, impacting data from as far back as 2010.
The Sun
19-05-2025
- Politics
- The Sun
Ministry of Justice hit by brazen cyber attack exposing hackers to ‘significant amount' of personal data
A HACKER group have stolen a "significant" amount of personal data from the Ministry of Justice. The cyber attack targeted the data of people who have applied for legal aid since 2020. 2 The MoJ said it was accessed and downloaded in April this year. Information taken could include contact details and addresses, dates of birth, national insurance numbers, criminal history, employment status and financial data such as contribution amounts, debts and payments. The group that carried out the attack has claimed it accessed 2.1 million pieces of data but the MoJ has not verified that figure. The Government became aware of a cyber attack on the Legal Aid Agency's online digital services on April 23, but realised on Friday that it was more extensive than originally thought. The LAA's online digital services, which are used by legal aid providers to log their work and get paid by the Government, have been taken offline. An MoJ source put the breach down to the 'neglect and mismanagement' of the previous government, saying vulnerabilities in the Legal Aid Agency systems have been known for many years. 'This data breach was made possible by the long years of neglect and mismanagement of the justice system under the last government. 'They knew about the vulnerabilities of the Legal Aid Agency digital systems, but did not act,' the source said. The MoJ is urging anyone who has applied for legal aid since 2010 to be alert for unknown messages and phone calls and to update any passwords that could have been exposed. The ministry has been working with the National Crime Agency and the National Cyber Security Centre, and has informed the Information Commissioner. Legal Aid Agency chief executive Jane Harbottle apologised for the breach. 'I understand this news will be shocking and upsetting for people and I am extremely sorry this has happened. 'Since the discovery of the attack, my team has been working around the clock with the National Cyber Security Centre to bolster the security of our systems so we can safely continue the vital work of the agency. 'However, it has become clear that, to safeguard the service and its users, we needed to take radical action. That is why we've taken the decision to take the online service down,' she said. Ms Harbottle said contingency plans are in place to make sure those in need of legal support and advice can continue to access it. A National Crime Agency spokesman said: 'We are aware of a cyber incident affecting the Legal Aid Agency. 'NCA officers are working alongside partners in the National Cyber Security Centre and MoJ to better understand the incident and support the department.' 2
Yahoo
19-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Cyber attack on Legal Aid Agency exposed ‘significant amount' of applicant data
A 'significant amount of personal data' of people who applied to the Legal Aid Agency since 2010, including criminal records, was accessed and downloaded in a cyber attack in April this year, the Ministry of Justice (MoJ) has said. The group that carried out the attack has claimed it accessed 2.1 million pieces of data but the MoJ has not verified that figure, it is understood. The Government became aware of a cyber attack on the Legal Aid Agency's online digital services on April 23, but realised on Friday that it was more extensive than originally thought. The data accessed may include contact details and addresses of legal aid applicants, their dates of birth, national insurance numbers, criminal history, employment status and financial data such as contribution amounts, debts and payments. The LAA's online digital services, which are used by legal aid providers to log their work and get paid by the Government, have been taken offline. An MoJ source put the breach down to the 'neglect and mismanagement' of the previous government, saying vulnerabilities in the Legal Aid Agency systems have been known for many years. 'This data breach was made possible by the long years of neglect and mismanagement of the justice system under the last government. 'They knew about the vulnerabilities of the Legal Aid Agency digital systems, but did not act,' the source said. The MoJ is urging anyone who has applied for legal aid since 2010 to be alert for unknown messages and phone calls and to update any passwords that could have been exposed. The ministry has been working with the National Crime Agency and the National Cyber Security Centre, and has informed the Information Commissioner. Legal Aid Agency chief executive Jane Harbottle apologised for the breach. 'I understand this news will be shocking and upsetting for people and I am extremely sorry this has happened. 'Since the discovery of the attack, my team has been working around the clock with the National Cyber Security Centre to bolster the security of our systems so we can safely continue the vital work of the agency. 'However, it has become clear that, to safeguard the service and its users, we needed to take radical action. That is why we've taken the decision to take the online service down,' she said. Ms Harbottle said contingency plans are in place to make sure those in need of legal support and advice can continue to access it. A National Crime Agency spokesman said: 'We are aware of a cyber incident affecting the Legal Aid Agency. 'NCA officers are working alongside partners in the National Cyber Security Centre and MoJ to better understand the incident and support the department.'
Telegraph
19-05-2025
- Telegraph
Cyber attack targets legal aid applicants
The Legal Aid Agency has been hit by a cyber attack which has led to thousands of applicants' personal data being stolen. The agency said the hackers had 'accessed and downloaded' a 'significant' amount of personal data from people who have applied for legal aid through its digital service since 2010. 'This data may have included contact details and addresses of applicants, their dates of birth, national ID numbers, criminal history, employment status and financial data such as contribution amounts, debts and payments,' it said. The Ministry of Justice (MoJ) said it became aware of a cyber attack on the agency's online digital services on April 23, before realising it was 'more extensive than originally understood' on May 16. The MoJ said: 'We would urge all members of the public who have applied for legal aid in this time period to take steps to safeguard themselves. We would recommend you are alert for any suspicious activity such as unknown messages or phone calls and to be extra vigilant to update any potentially exposed passwords. 'If you are in doubt about anyone you are communicating with online or over the phone you should verify their identity independently before providing any information to them.'
BBC News
19-05-2025
- Politics
- BBC News
Private data including criminal records stolen in Legal Aid hack
A "significant amount" of private data including criminal records has been hacked from the Legal Aid online system, the Ministry of Justice (MoJ) has MoJ said said it became aware of a cyber-attack on the Legal Aid Agency's online digital services on April 23 of data dating back to 2010. It then became aware the incident was "more extensive than originally understood".Legal Aid Agency chief executive Jane Harbottle apologised for the breach, saying she understood the news "will be shocking and upsetting for people". The group that carried out the attack claimed it accessed 2.1 million pieces of data, according to the PA news agency. The MoJ has not verified that figure, however. The ministry urged members of the public who have applied for legal aid in this time period to take steps to safeguard themselves."This data may have included contact details and addresses of applicants, their dates of birth, national ID numbers, criminal history, employment status and financial data such as contribution amounts, debts and payments," it also warned the public to be alert for any suspicious activity, including unknown messages or phone calls, and to update any potentially exposed passwords."If you are in doubt about anyone you are communicating with online or over the phone you should verify their identity independently before providing any information to them," it ministry said it was working with the National Crime Agency and the National Cyber Security Centre, and has informed the Information Legal Aid Agency's online digital services, which are used by legal aid providers to log their work and get paid by the government, have been taken offline. This breaking news story is being updated and more details will be published shortly. Please refresh the page for the fullest can receive Breaking News on a smartphone or tablet via the BBC News App. You can also follow @BBCBreaking on X to get the latest alerts.
