Abena Oppong-Asare asks who is behind the attack and whether compromised resident data has been spread online
The chair of the Housing, Communities and Local Government (HCLG) committee, Abena Oppong-Asare, has called for answers regarding the cyber attack on the Housing Ombudsman Service, which took place over two weeks ago.
In a letter sent earlier this week, addressed to interim housing ombudsman Andrea Keenoy, Oppong-Asare said it is “very concerning to hear that residents’ information may have been compromised as part of this incident”.
On 13 October, the watchdog issued a notice informing users that a third-party IT security incident had impacted its case management system and that an investigation was underway to confirm whether any personal information had been accessed. This message remains on its website.
Oppong-Asare requested an update on the ombudsman’s initial investigation findings, including the period over which the data breach happened, when the Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO) was informed and how many individuals’ information may have been affected.
She asked about the nature of the data that has potentially been compromised and whether this has been disseminated or published online as well as if the origin and intention of the attack has been confirmed.
The Labour MP for Erith and Thamesmead sought responses to how the ombudsman will handle the incident going forward, what support it will offer those affected and whether the attack will cause any delays to ongoing case investigations.
She also questioned what due diligence the ombudsman conducted before appointing the third-party supplier.
The Housing Ombudsman Service and ICO have been approached for comment.
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