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Office of the Ombudsman responding to cybersecurity incident
Published on
Last updated on
Published on
Last updated on
The Office of the Ombudsman is responding to a cybersecurity incident involving unauthorised access to its IT systems. As a precaution, systems have been taken offline to contain the threat while the incident is investigated.
The Ombudsman’s ICT team is working with the National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC) and external cyber incident response specialists to assess the nature and extent of the incident and to support containment and recovery. The incident has also been notified to the Data Protection Commissioner and An Garda Síochána.
It is understood that this is a financially motivated ransomware attack and a forensic investigation is ongoing. Due to the nature of these types of attacks the Office of the Ombudsman is operating on the basis that data may have been taken. The NCSC has activated its incident response plan and has put in place enhanced monitoring to support the Office of the Ombudsman.
To further protect individuals, the Office of the Ombudsman has taken legal steps, including securing an injunction from the High Court to restrict any publication of potentially stolen information.
The Office of the Ombudsman provides IT support to other Offices. These services have also been disrupted.
The Ombudsman, Ger Deering, said that the priority is to establish what has occurred, restore services safely, and protect the people who rely on the services of the Ombudsman and the Offices it supports. Updates will be provided on the Ombudsman and relevant Office websites as verified information becomes available.
The Ombudsman said: “I want to apologise for the inconvenience or any concerns caused to the people who use our services. We appreciate your patience and assure you we are doing everything possible to resolve the matter and restore our services”.
Notes to Editor
The Office of the Ombudsman investigates complaints from members of the public who believe they have been unfairly treated by certain public service providers. The Office also provides IT services to 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.
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Dave Nutley
Office of the Ombudsman
Email: communications@ombudsman.ie
6 Earlsfort Terrace
Dublin 2