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The ransomware attacked an organization in the UK government whose mission is to invest in science and research.
The autonomous government organization UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) was subjected to a cyber attack using extortionate software that encrypted its digital resources. The incident affected two UKRI services – an information resource for subscribers and an internal platform for expert evaluation of various departments of the organization.
UK Research and Innovation is an organization within the UK government whose primary mission is to invest in science and research. UKRI is funded by the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy and has a budget of more than six billion pounds. Given the amounts at UKRI's disposal, it is not surprising that the organization is a very attractive target for ransomware.
Details of the attack, as well as who is behind it, have not yet been disclosed due to the ongoing investigation.
"We have reported the incident to the National Crime Agency, the National Cyber Security Centre and the Information Commissioner's Office," UKRI said.
The two services affected by the incident are portals of the Brussels-based UK Research Office (UKRO). Both resources are currently disabled. At the moment, there is no evidence that the attackers stole data from the UKRI systems. However, they still managed to gain access to grant applications and information about peer review.
Since UKRO services have about 13 thousand subscribers, in theory, cybercriminals could steal their personal data. If the investigation reveals the theft of personal information, all victims will receive appropriate notifications.
The autonomous government organization UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) was subjected to a cyber attack using extortionate software that encrypted its digital resources. The incident affected two UKRI services – an information resource for subscribers and an internal platform for expert evaluation of various departments of the organization.
UK Research and Innovation is an organization within the UK government whose primary mission is to invest in science and research. UKRI is funded by the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy and has a budget of more than six billion pounds. Given the amounts at UKRI's disposal, it is not surprising that the organization is a very attractive target for ransomware.
Details of the attack, as well as who is behind it, have not yet been disclosed due to the ongoing investigation.
"We have reported the incident to the National Crime Agency, the National Cyber Security Centre and the Information Commissioner's Office," UKRI said.
The two services affected by the incident are portals of the Brussels-based UK Research Office (UKRO). Both resources are currently disabled. At the moment, there is no evidence that the attackers stole data from the UKRI systems. However, they still managed to gain access to grant applications and information about peer review.
Since UKRO services have about 13 thousand subscribers, in theory, cybercriminals could steal their personal data. If the investigation reveals the theft of personal information, all victims will receive appropriate notifications.