Ryan FowlerReports have emerged over the weekend of a significant data breach at the Ministry of Defence (MoD), attributed to Chinese state-sponsored hackers. The breach targeted a payroll system affecting current service personnel and some veterans, exposing sensitive information such as names and bank details.
While the UK government has not officially named the state involved, sources indicate China’s involvement in the cyberattack, which included two to three attempts at accessing MoD employee data. China’s foreign ministry has denied these allegations, stating it “firmly opposes and fights all forms of cyber attacks” and “rejects the use of this issue politically to smear other countries.”
Tobias Ellwood, a Conservative MP and former soldier, suggested to Sky News that the motive behind the attack might be to identify financially vulnerable individuals who could be coerced for financial gain.
Defence Secretary Grant Shapps is expected to address the Commons today, outlining a “multi-point plan” to safeguard the affected personnel, as reported by the BBC. Despite the breach, the MoD has assured that all salaries will be paid this month and that the affected system, operated by a contractor, is separate from the main MoD computer systems and has been taken offline for a thorough review.
The MoD is providing advice and support to reassure and protect serving personnel concerned about their safety following the breac
