Fraud Management & Cybercrime , Ransomware

The Guardian Says Hackers Accessed UK Employee Data

December 2022 Incident That Shut Down UK Offices Was Ransomware
The Guardian Says Hackers Accessed UK Employee Data
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The Guardian says a late December 2022 cyber incident that caused the British newspaper to shutter its offices for weeks was caused by ransomware and informed staff Wednesday that hackers have accessed their data.

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An email sent to its staff from Guardian Media Group CEO Anna BatesEditor-in-Chief Katharine Vineron and said the attack was likely triggered by a phishing email.

The newspaper did not provide details of the exposed data, although it clarified that no personal data of its readers or staff in its U.S. or Australian offices has been affected.

Their email also said the organization expects to restore some of the affected networks within two weeks. The Guardian notified the U.K. Information Commissioners' Office and the police of the data breach and said the organization is working with security experts to understand the extent of the damage.

The newspaper has meanwhile asked its employee to continue to work from home until February as it restores the affected systems.

The latest alert from the newspaper comes just days after it sent a similar alert to its employees requesting them to continue working from home until Jan. 23 (see: Guardian Newspaper Offices Still Empty After December Attack ).

The Guardian did not immediately respond to a request for comment.


About the Author

Akshaya Asokan

Akshaya Asokan

Senior Correspondent, ISMG

Asokan is a U.K.-based senior correspondent for Information Security Media Group's global news desk. She previously worked with IDG and other publications, reporting on developments in technology, minority rights and education.




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