Major London councils initiate emergency' plans after being hit by cyber attack

"We identified the issue quickly on Monday and are working with cyber specialists and the National Cyber Security Centre to protect data and restore services. We've activated business continuity and emergency plans to ensure we are still delivering critical services to residents, focusing on supporting the most vulnerable. We are investigating the cause of the incident and will provide more information when it is available."

"Westminster and Kensington and Chelsea town halls said they are urgently working with the National Cyber Security Centre following the hack that began on Monday. Other local authorities in the capital are also believed to have been targeted, including Hammersmith and Fulham council. Westminster and Kensington and Chelsea said shared IT systems and phone lines have been affected. The source of the attack and its scale have not yet been fully established."

Westminster and Kensington and Chelsea councils are working urgently with the National Cyber Security Centre after a cyber attack that began on Monday. Other London local authorities, including Hammersmith and Fulham, are believed to have been targeted. Shared IT systems and phone lines were affected. The source and full scale of the attack remain unknown. Kensington and Chelsea identified the issue quickly, activated business continuity and emergency plans, and prioritized support for vulnerable residents while restoring services. Criminals accessed and encrypted about 440,000 files. Systems may remain offline until after the week. The Information Commissioner has been notified.

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