Ransomware attack forces Office of the Ombudsman to take IT systems offline

The said since they provide IT support 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, these services have also been 'disrupted'

The Ombudsman's ICT team says it is currently 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'. File photo

The Office of the Ombudsman's IT systems have been taken offline after the body was hit by a ransomware attack on Wednesday.

The Ombudsman's ICT team says it is currently 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 Office of the Ombudsman said the cyber attack was "financially motivated", and it is operating on the basis that some of its data has been compromised.

It also said that, because the Office of the Ombudsman provides IT support 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, these services have also been "disrupted".

It did not provide details of the extent of the disruption to these bodies.

A ransomware attack is a type of cybercrime where malicious software, also known as malware, encrypts a target's sensitive computer data or locks their device and renders their systems inaccessible. The cyber attackers then demand a ransom payment, usually in the form of a cryptocurrency, for the data to be decrypted, or to prevent data leaks.

The Office of the Ombudsman said its systems have been taken offline as a precaution while the ransomware attack is investigated.

"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," a spokesperson for the Office of the Ombudsman said.

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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 Ombudsman, Ger Deering, said 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," he said.

Mr Deering also apologised for the inconvenience caused and for "any concerns that this creates for 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," he added.