UPDATE: The UK Government has just confirmed that it is “pretty confident” that the personal details of visa applicants have not been compromised in a significant cyber attack on the Foreign Office, allegedly linked to a Chinese group.
This urgent statement follows reports that a Beijing-associated hacking group, known as Storm 1849, targeted government servers in October 2023, potentially accessing sensitive information regarding numerous visa applications. Initial claims suggest that “thousands” of confidential documents were retrieved during this breach, as reported by The Sun.
Speaking on Times Radio, business minister Sir Chris Bryant acknowledged the hack but emphasized that assessments indicate no visa applicants’ data has been compromised. “We are very confident that in the investigation that we’ve done so far, that nobody, no individual, will have been harmed or compromised by what has happened,” he stated.
The Chinese organization was previously named in connection with cyber attacks on Members of Parliament and the Electoral Commission in March 2024. However, Sir Chris refrained from directly attributing the recent breach to the Chinese state. He reiterated the ongoing investigation’s complexity, stating, “It does take some time to get to the bottom of precisely what has happened.”
Officials are taking this situation seriously, with a government spokesperson declaring, “We have been working to investigate a cyber incident. We take the security of our systems and data extremely seriously.” This commitment to transparency comes as fears rise over the growing threat of cyber attacks targeting UK institutions.
As the investigation continues, authorities are urging the public and stakeholders to remain calm. Sir Chris Bryant urged caution against speculation, particularly regarding the potential impact on visa applications. “You referred to potentially affecting thousands of visas. I think that is speculating,” he remarked.
The implications of this breach are significant, especially considering the sensitive nature of visa applications. The government has been scrutinizing its cybersecurity measures in light of this incident, which is part of a broader pattern of cyber threats facing public institutions, including Jaguar Land Rover and M&S.
As the situation develops, the government is expected to provide further updates. Authorities and cybersecurity experts recommend vigilance against potential phishing attempts and other cyber threats that could arise in the aftermath of the breach.
Stay tuned for more updates as this story unfolds, and share this news to keep others informed about this critical cybersecurity incident.
