August 19th 2023.
Last week, there was a major data breach at the Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI). In an error made by a junior staff member when responding to a Freedom of Information request, personal data on all currently serving members of the PSNI was published, including each employee's surname and first initial, rank or grade, and where they were based.
This past Saturday, the PSNI announced that a 50-year-old man has been charged with possessing documents or records likely to be useful to terrorists and possession of articles for use in terrorism. Additionally, a 39-year-old man had been detained in relation to the breach on Wednesday and was released on bail.
On Monday, PSNI Chief Constable Simon Byrne declared that the information from the data breach had been acquired by dissident republicans. Mr. Byrne stated his belief that dissidents would use the information to intimidate and target police. This was further proven to be true as a document with information about a substantial number of police officers and staff was posted near the Sinn Fein office in the Falls Road, although their names had been removed.
The PSNI is currently investigating multiple data breaches that have occurred since last week, including the loss of a police officer's laptop and notebook, which contained details of 42 officers and members of staff. Additionally, police have confirmed that a police laptop and radio were stolen from a private vehicle in Newtownabbey, near Belfast, on July 6.
Assistant Chief Constable Chris Todd reported that the documents were believed to have been stolen from the vehicle and that they had contacted the officers and staff concerning the incident. He concluded by stressing the seriousness of the issue and that they would keep the Northern Ireland Policing Board and the Information Commissioner's Office updated during the investigation.
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