The Labour Party has revealed it has been targeted by a sophisticated cyber-attack, raising the prospect that hackers are trying to subvert British democracy, with the matter reported to the National Cyber Security Centre amid suggestions it may have originated in Russia.
In a letter to party workers, Niall Sookoo, executive director, elections and campaigns, said:
“Yesterday afternoon our security systems identified that, in a very short period of time, there were large-scale and sophisticated attacks on Labour Party platforms which had the intention of taking our systems entirely offline. .. Every single one of these attempts failed due to our robust security systems and the integrity of all our plaforms and data was maintained.” However, Mr Sookoo said the effect of the increased security protocols which the attacks had required to be put into place had reduced the full functionality of the party’s campaign systems.
Mr Sookoo saidd: “This is temporary and I anticipate the full functionality returning this morning. …I appreciate this is frustrating but I am sure you will understand why we have taken this action.”
All print deadlines had been extended by 24 hours, and Mr Sookoo, who paid tribute to quick-thinking staff at the party’s headquarters, said there should be no knock-on effect for deliveries.
Source: Express.co.uk
