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MoD Alerts 3,700 to Subcontractor Email Breach Exposing Afghan Resettlement Data

The breach has triggered investigations by UK cyber and data authorities and reignited scrutiny of defence supply-chain security.

Overview

  • A third-party subcontractor, Inflite The Jet Centre, reported on August 10 that unauthorised access to emails held between January and March 2024 may have exposed personal data for about 3,700 individuals.
  • The MoD warning says compromised information could include names, dates of birth, passport numbers and Afghan Relocations and Assistance Policy reference numbers for evacuees, military personnel and some former ministers.
  • Inflite has informed the Information Commissioner’s Office and is cooperating with the National Crime Agency and National Cyber Security Centre, while the MoD stresses core government systems were not breached.
  • So far there is no evidence that the stolen data has been published publicly or on the dark web, but concerns over potential reprisals against Afghan allies have resurfaced.
  • The latest incident highlights ongoing vulnerabilities in the MoD’s contractor network and has fuelled legal claims, compensation planning and calls for tighter oversight by Parliament.