Defense Secretary Grant Shapps stated that there is a possibility of foreign state involvement in the recent attack on the Ministry of Defence (MoD) third-party payment system. However, he did not confirm reports linking Beijing to the incident.
The MoD has taken action to shut down the compromised payment system, which may have been hacked by a “malign actor,” as confirmed by ministers on Tuesday.
During a briefing to Parliament, Secretary Shapps disclosed that while foreign state involvement cannot be ruled out, no specific actor has been attributed to the suspected attack. The attack targeted a system containing sensitive information of armed forces personnel and veterans, such as names, bank details, and addresses.
Approximately 272,000 individuals may have been affected by the breach, but Secretary Shapps mentioned that this number is subject to refinement and may decrease.
The MoD has initiated a full investigation to assess any potential vulnerabilities that led to the attack and to prevent similar incidents in the future. Secretary Shapps highlighted possible failings by the system’s operator, payroll contractor SSCL, that may have facilitated the breach.
Additionally, Secretary Shapps assured that all April salaries have been processed, and any delays in expense payments are expected to be resolved promptly. The MoD has halted all payment processing and isolated the affected system following the discovery of the attack.
As part of an eight-point plan, the MoD has informed potentially affected individuals, established a helpline, and provided personal data protection services to all service personnel.
While details are limited due to national security concerns, Secretary Shapps indicated that there are indications of the attack being the work of a malign actor, with potential state involvement. This incident underscores the evolving threats faced by the UK, according to the minister.
Prime Minister Rishi Sunak confirmed the attack earlier in the day and emphasized that the MoD has taken necessary steps by disconnecting the network. Addressing concerns about China’s involvement, Sunak reiterated the government’s robust policy towards Beijing to safeguard against potential risks.
Despite allegations linking Beijing to the attack, a spokesperson for the Chinese embassy denied any involvement and dismissed the claims as baseless accusations.
This development follows previous accusations by the UK and US against Beijing for engaging in malicious cyber activities. The UK attributed previous attacks to Beijing, prompting sanctions against entities and individuals associated with the cyber operations.
Several MPs have called for a stronger stance against China, labeling it a threat to national security rather than just an “epoch-defining challenge.” The ongoing cybersecurity threats highlight the need for heightened vigilance and strategic responses to safeguard critical infrastructures.
PA Media contributed to this report.
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