Northern Ireland Secretary Chris Heaton Harris has said he is 'deeply concerned' after the personal and employement data of thousands of serving PSNI officers and civilian staff was compromised in a “significant” data breach
NORTHERN IRELAND SECRETARY Chris Heaton Harris has said he is “deeply concerned” after the personal and employement data of thousands of serving PSNI officers and civilian staff was compromised in a “significant” data breach.The incident happened when the PSNI responded to a Freedom of Information request seeking the number of officers and staff at all ranks and grades across the organisation.
“We operate in an environment at the moment where there’s a severe threat to our colleagues from Northern Ireland-related terrorism and this is the last thing that anybody in the organisation wants to be hearing this evening. “What I would say is that although the error was our own, once that information was out there if anybody did have access to it, I would ask them to delete it straight away.”
He said that despite the data only including surnames and initials, the breach will still be “of significant concern to many of my colleagues”.He added: “We’ve looked into the circumstances, we’ll continue with our investigation, but the very early considerations are that this is simple human error and the people who have been involved in the process have acted in good faith.“It is regrettable but it is simple human error.
“Rigorous safeguards ought to have been in place to protect this valuable information which, if in the wrong hands, could do incalculable damage. DUP MLA for South Antrim, Trevor Clarke, a member of the Northern Ireland Policing Board, said they would look for answers when it meets on Thursday, and pinned some blame on Heaton-Harris.
Ireland Latest News, Ireland Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
PSNI confirms major data breach as Assistant Chief Constable apologisesThe PSNI's Assistant Chief Constable confirmed that every serving police officer and member of police staff has had data compromised.
Read more »
Explainer: What to know about PSNI’s ‘major data breach’Data including information on Police Service of Northern Ireland officers was erroneously released in response to a Freedom of Information request
Read more »
The 8 at 8: WednesdayAccenture layoffs, a major PSNI data breach and late-night flights controversy at Dublin Airport – it's the 8 at 8
Read more »
PSNI apologises for ‘human error’ leading to data breach of staff’s informationSurname, rank or grade, location and more details of all current officers accidentally published in response to Freedom of Information request
Read more »
Two men arrested after shooting in Bushmills, Co Antrim released by PSNIThe men, aged 36 and 38, have been released 'to allow for further investigations', a spokesperson from the PSNI said.
Read more »
'Incalculable damage': Data breach exposes personal details of all PSNI officersThe Police Service of Northern Ireland has apologised after a major data breach revealed the personal details of all officers and staff members.
Read more »