Press Release
31/07/24
For Immediate Release
A Ministry of Defence (MoD) data breach victim is warning there could be thousands of additional payroll hack victims who have not been informed by the agency’s contactor in what he has called a ‘cover-up’.
‘Harry’, whose real name has not been used for security reasons, first heard of the hack on the MoD’s payroll system- operated by Shared Services Connected Ltd (SSCL) in May this year.
After serving in the armed forces for more than eight years, the London veteran explained he felt betrayed by the breach and concerned about the delayed communication.
It was reported in May that about 270,000 UK forces records were exposed in the hack, with Manchester-based Barings Law representing more than 3,000 soldiers for a potential class action against contractor SSCL.
While the hack impacted the MoD, the contractor SSCL is responsible for notifying victims.
‘Harry’ said: “When I saw on the news that the payroll had been breached, I was immediately concerned, and I reached out to the MoD and SSCL.
“I didn’t trust them to tell me if my data had been leaked, I was concerned from the fact that there was such a big breach. It shows there are major deficiencies in data protection.
“I didn’t trust them to tell me if my data had been leaked, I was concerned from the fact that there was such a big breach. It shows there are major deficiencies in data protection.
“It took the MoD 74 days to confirm that my data had been leaked. SSCL has still not replied to that access request.
‘Harry’ went on to explain he sent separate access requests to the MoD and SSCL, but the responses left him with little faith about the security of his data, especially vetting information.
‘Harry’ went on to explain he sent separate access requests to the MoD and SSCL, but the responses left him with little faith about the security of his data, especially vetting information.
“I was very anxious, the scale of this hack makes me feel very anxious,” he added.
“It is my belief that there are thousands of other people who have been affected and not informed.”
Having joined the armed forces for a second time in 2016, ‘Harry’ detailed that it was always his ambition to serve his country.
“It was always something I wanted to do,” he said. “It was a good few years with huge challenges but huge rewards. I’m proud to have served.”
Having joined the armed forces for a second time in 2016, ‘Harry’ detailed that it was always his ambition to serve his country.
“It was always something I wanted to do,” he said. “It was a good few years with huge challenges but huge rewards. I’m proud to have served.”
It is the personal risks ‘Harry’ was willing to take to protect his country that intensifies his feelings of betrayal about the cyber-attack, particularly with reports circulating about SSCL potentially being aware of the breach as early as February.
“The apparent coverup is very concerning. My big unanswered question is why was I not notified?
“The apparent coverup is very concerning. My big unanswered question is why was I not notified?
“We gave ourselves for our country and were willing to sacrifice everything. I feel betrayed.”
After receiving confirmation that his data was leaked in the breach, ‘Harry’ contacted Barings Law to stand alongside the thousands of soldiers suing SSCL.
He said: “I’m glad there will be accountability and compensation but it will only go so far and won’t be able to quash my concerns about government data security.
“The big concern is around what data the MoD and other government bodies are not safeguarding.
“It’s like the weight I can’t shake off.”
Barings Law’s Head of Data Breach, Adnan Malik, who is representing the thousands of affected personal, declared that justice must be served for the distress caused.
“These soldiers and veterans signed up to the army to protect their country, and in return the MoD’s contractor could not even protect their data.
“It is essential that a breach like this never occurs again and those affected are adequately compensated. I’m pleased Barings Law can help these individuals fight for the justice they deserve.”
After receiving confirmation that his data was leaked in the breach, ‘Harry’ contacted Barings Law to stand alongside the thousands of soldiers suing SSCL.
He said: “I’m glad there will be accountability and compensation but it will only go so far and won’t be able to quash my concerns about government data security.
“The big concern is around what data the MoD and other government bodies are not safeguarding.
“It’s like the weight I can’t shake off.”
Barings Law’s Head of Data Breach, Adnan Malik, who is representing the thousands of affected personal, declared that justice must be served for the distress caused.
“These soldiers and veterans signed up to the army to protect their country, and in return the MoD’s contractor could not even protect their data.
“It is essential that a breach like this never occurs again and those affected are adequately compensated. I’m pleased Barings Law can help these individuals fight for the justice they deserve.”
-ENDS-
About Barings Law
· Established in 2009, Barings Law is based in Cardinal House, Manchester.
· The firm represents victims of consumer and business mis-selling on a no win no fee basis.
· Regulated by the Solicitors Regulation Authority.
Media contact: For press enquiries please email press@inkedpr.com