PSNI officer: Data breach has made life easier for those wishing to target police

A serving PSNI officer has said that those wishing to target police only need to “join the dots” thanks to the serious data breach which has sent panic through the organisation.
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By Graeme Cousins
Published 9th Aug 2023, 12:54 BST

Yesterday a spreadsheet was mistakenly embedded in response to a freedom of information request which detailed the rank and grade of all employees at the PSNI including their surnames, initials, the department they work in and their working location.

An officer with more than 10 years service, who understandably wanted to remain anonymous, said: “This is causing serious distress among colleagues. I feel sick with worry.

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"I’ve worked with people who have had to leave their homes at a moment’s notice after receiving intelligence that their security has been compromised.

Police are investigating the circumstances surrounding the release of data of PSNI officers and staff.Police are investigating the circumstances surrounding the release of data of PSNI officers and staff.
Police are investigating the circumstances surrounding the release of data of PSNI officers and staff.

"Now, with the press of a button the security of every officer in the PSNI has been compromised.”

They added: “Myself and a lot of others, due to security risks in Northern Ireland, have only told family and close friends that they are in the police.

“This breach may not have disclosed home addresses, but surnames, initials, genders and working locations will be enough for people to join the dots.

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“If these details fall into the wrong hands – and I’m sure those people who want to target police will find a way to get hold of them – it doesn’t bear thinking about.”

Assistant Chief Constable Chris Todd, the officer in charge of data security, said police will attempt to identify every person who has downloaded or has seen the data.

He urged anyone who has the data to immediately delete it, warning that it may be a criminal offence to share it.