PSNI apologises to officers and civilian employees after ‘monumental’ knowledge breach
T
he Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) has apologised to its hundreds of serving officers and civilian employees whose private and employment knowledge was compromised in a “significant” knowledge breach.
Northern Ireland Secretary Chris Heaton-Harris stated he’s “deeply concerned” by the information breach, whereas the Police Federation for Northern Ireland (PFNI) stated its members are “appalled”.
The incident occurred when the PSNI responded to a Freedom of Information request searching for the variety of officers and employees in any respect ranks and grades throughout the organisation.
In the revealed response to this request a desk was embedded that contained the rank and grade knowledge, but in addition included detailed info that connected the surname, preliminary, the placement and the departments for all workers of the PSNI.
The knowledge was doubtlessly viewable by the general public for between 2.5 to a few hours.
Addressing the media in Belfast on Tuesday, Assistant Chief Constable Chris Todd apologised to officers for the “unacceptable” breach.
He stated that after it was delivered to the PSNI’s consideration it was taken down “quickly”, and that early indications have been that this was a “simple human error”.
Mr Todd additionally stated there have been no fast safety issues, however they have been monitoring the scenario.
“I understand that that will be of considerable concern to many of my colleagues and their families indeed, at the moment,” he stated.
“We operate in an environment at the moment where there’s a severe threat to our colleagues from Northern Ireland-related terrorism and this is the last thing that anybody in the organisation wants to be hearing this evening.
“So, I owe it to all my colleagues to make sure that this is investigated thoroughly, and we’ve initiated that and will keep them informed, keep all the staff associations informed of that investigation, and we’ve been engaging with them throughout the afternoon.
“The information was taken down very quickly but, nevertheless, I do appreciate the concern, of course we will seek to find the extent to which that has been viewed.
“What I would say is that although the error was our own, once that information was out there if anybody did have access to it, I would ask them to delete it straight away.”
The incident was first reported by the Belfast Telegraph, which reported that it considered the uploaded materials after it was contacted by a relative of a serving officer.
Apart from the one who launched the knowledge, the PSNI was unaware the knowledge had been launched till they noticed it on an internet site, Mr Todd confirmed.
He stated that regardless of the information solely together with surnames and initials, the breach will nonetheless be “of significant concern to many of my colleagues”.
“We will ensure we do anything we can to mitigate any security risks that are identified.”
He added: “We’ve looked into the circumstances, we’ll continue with our investigation, but the very early considerations are that this is simple human error and the people who have been involved in the process have acted in good faith.
“We’ve identified some steps that we can take to ensure that it doesn’t happen again.
“It is regrettable but it is simple human error.”
Liam Kelly, chairman of the PFNI, stated an pressing inquiry is required into the “monumental” breach.
“Even if it was done accidentally, it still represents a data and security breach that should never have happened,” he stated.
“Rigorous safeguards ought to have been in place to protect this valuable information which, if in the wrong hands, could do incalculable damage.
“The men and women I represent are appalled by this breach. They are shocked, dismayed and justifiably angry. Like me, they are demanding action to address this unprecedented disclosure of sensitive information.”
Politicians have reacted with shock – the SDLP’s policing spokesman Mark H Durkan referred to as on PSNI Chief Constable Simon Byrne to make a press release.
DUP MLA for South Antrim, Trevor Clarke, a member of the Northern Ireland Policing Board, stated they might search for solutions when it meets on Thursday, and pinned some blame on Mr Heaton-Harris.
“The Secretary of State has presided over a budget, which is the worst that the police have ever had – they’ve looked to reduce numbers at a time they should’ve been increasing numbers,” he advised BBC Radio 4’s World Tonight.
Mr Todd stated Mr Byrne is conscious of the problem, however wouldn’t touch upon whether or not he would return from his summer time break to reply.
“I’m the duty officer and I’m the senior information risk owner, so I take responsibility for this,” he stated.
A spokesman for the Information Commissioner’s Office stated the PSNI “has made us aware of an incident and we are assessing the information provided”.