The Office of the Ombudsman has confirmed it is managing a financially motivated ransomware attack that may have resulted in the unauthorized acquisition of data. Upon discovering the threat, the office immediately took its IT systems offline to prevent further spread and contain the incident. A comprehensive forensic investigation is now being conducted by the Ombudsman's ICT team in collaboration with the National Cyber Security Centre and private specialists to determine the full extent of the breach.
Because the Office of the Ombudsman provides central IT support for multiple organizations, the disruption has extended to several other public bodies. These include the Information Commissioner, the Commissioner for Environmental Information, the Protected Disclosures Commissioner, the Standards in Public Office Commission, and the Commission for Public Service Appointments. These entities are currently experiencing delays in processing cases and limitations in their communication services, such as telephone access.
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To mitigate the impact on individuals whose data may have been accessed, the Ombudsman has secured a High Court injunction to legally restrict the publication or sharing of any stolen information. Law enforcement authorities, including An Garda Siochana and the Data Protection Commissioner, have been formally notified as part of the ongoing response. These legal and regulatory steps are intended to prioritize the privacy and safety of the public who rely on these government services.
Ombudsman Ger Deering has issued an apology for the inconvenience and anxiety caused by the cyber attack, emphasizing that the primary goals are to establish exactly what happened and restore systems safely. The office has asked for patience from the public, noting that they are doing everything possible to resolve the matter. While services are disrupted, the various commissions are working to maintain operations as best as they can under the current constraints.
Updates regarding the recovery process will be posted on the official websites of the Ombudsman and the affected commissions as verified details emerge. The Commission for Public Service Appointments has specifically advised that while complaint processing is delayed, individuals do not need to resubmit their information or contact the office at this time. The recovery effort remains focused on a secure and systematic return to normal operations.
Source: Data May Have Been Stolen In Cyber Attack Targeting The Ombudsman Office