.jpg)
6 hours ago
1
Article content
LONDON (AP) — Britain’s justice department said Monday that it shut down online services for legal aid recipients and the lawyers paid to help them after a cyberattack compromised personal information including criminal records, national insurance numbers and payment details.
THIS CONTENT IS RESERVED FOR SUBSCRIBERS ONLY
Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada.
- Exclusive articles from Barbara Shecter, Joe O'Connor, Gabriel Friedman, and others.
- Daily content from Financial Times, the world's leading global business publication.
- Unlimited online access to read articles from Financial Post, National Post and 15 news sites across Canada with one account.
- National Post ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition to view on any device, share and comment on.
- Daily puzzles, including the New York Times Crossword.
SUBSCRIBE TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES
Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada.
- Exclusive articles from Barbara Shecter, Joe O'Connor, Gabriel Friedman and others.
- Daily content from Financial Times, the world's leading global business publication.
- Unlimited online access to read articles from Financial Post, National Post and 15 news sites across Canada with one account.
- National Post ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition to view on any device, share and comment on.
- Daily puzzles, including the New York Times Crossword.
REGISTER / SIGN IN TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES
Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience.
- Access articles from across Canada with one account.
- Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments.
- Enjoy additional articles per month.
- Get email updates from your favourite authors.
THIS ARTICLE IS FREE TO READ REGISTER TO UNLOCK.
Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience.
- Access articles from across Canada with one account
- Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments
- Enjoy additional articles per month
- Get email updates from your favourite authors
Sign In or Create an Account
or
Article content
Article content
The Ministry of Justice said it learned on April 23 that online digital services at the Legal Aid Agency had been hacked, but realized Friday that it was more extensive than it had known.
Article content
“I understand this news will be shocking and upsetting for people and I am extremely sorry this has happened,” said Jane Harbottle, chief executive of Legal Aid. “To safeguard the service and its users, we needed to take radical action. That is why we’ve taken the decision to take the online service down.”
Article content
Article content
Hackers claimed they had access to 2.1 million pieces of data, though the government did not confirm that figure.
Article content
By signing up you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc.
Article content
The agency provides civil and criminal legal assistance to those who can’t afford a lawyer. The online system is used by providers to log work to get paid.
Article content
A “significant amount of personal data” going back 15 years was exposed by the breach, including addresses of people applying for legal help, birth dates, criminal history, employment status and financial information, the ministry said.
Article content
The National Crime Agency and the National Cyber Security Centre have been working with the agency since the intrusion.
Article content
Richard Atkinson, president of the Law Society of England and Wales, said the had drawn attention to the need to update the agency’s antiquated information technology.
Article content
“The fragility of the IT system has prevented vital reforms, including updates to the means test that could help millions more access legal aid, and interim payments for firms whose cash flow is being decimated by the backlogs in the courts, through no fault of their own,” Atkinson said. “If it is now also proving vulnerable to cyber attack, further delay is untenable.”
Article content
English (US)