Particle.news
Download on the App Store

Cyber Attack Disrupts London Councils’ Shared IT as NCSC Assesses

Investigators are assessing the scope of the breach, with councils keeping essential services going under emergency plans.

Overview

  • Kensington and Chelsea confirmed it was hit, and Westminster and Hammersmith and Fulham reported disruption to shared systems including phone lines.
  • Westminster shut down its networks as a precaution and triggered business continuity measures, warning residents of slower response times.
  • Internal memos indicate some systems may remain offline until the end of the week while mitigations and recovery continue.
  • The NCSC is monitoring the incident, the Met Police Cyber Crime Unit has begun early enquiries after an Action Fraud referral, and no arrests have been made.
  • The councils notified the Information Commissioner’s Office and are investigating possible data compromise, while Hackney issued staff alerts but is not understood to be directly affected.