Several London councils have been targeted by cyber attacks in the last 48 hours, sparking fears over data security across the capital.
Which Councils Were Hit?
Kensington and Chelsea and Westminster councils confirmed the attacks and revealed they are working with GCHQ’s National Cyber Security Centre to safeguard residents’ data.
Nearby Hammersmith and Fulham reported IT system problems, but Hackney Council has denied being affected despite earlier reports.
Disruption Across Council Services
The shared IT systems and phone lines between these councils have been hit, causing contact issues. Kensington and Chelsea warned residents they might struggle to get in touch via phone or online.
“We don’t have all the answers yet, as the management of this incident is ongoing,” a Kensington and Chelsea spokesperson said. “It’s too early to confirm who is behind this or if data was compromised, but we are investigating thoroughly.”
Westminster Council has taken the drastic step of shutting down its networks as a precaution. The Local Democracy Reporting Service confirmed many constituents are facing issues contacting the council through their usual channels.
Police and National Cyber Security Centre Respond
The Metropolitan Police’s Cyber Crime Unit confirmed they are at the early stages of their investigation, with no arrests so far.
The National Cyber Security Centre said: “We are aware of an incident affecting some local authority services in London and are working to understand any potential impact.”
Wider Cyber Crime Wave Hits London
This latest wave of attacks follows recent cyber strikes on major London institutions. M&S, Co-op, Harrods, Heathrow Airport, and a local nursery chain have all been hit in recent months, exposing vast troves of customer and personal data.
Experts warn large organisations remain prime targets due to the amount of data they hold.
