PSNI Facing £750,000 Penalty Due to Significant Data Breach Compromising Sensitive Information

Following a significant data breach that made the personal information of about 10,000 officers and staff available online, the Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) is facing a hefty £750,000 penalties. The Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO) deemed the breach a “tangible threat to life,” citing severe risks and harms associated with the incident. 

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In August last year, sensitive information including surnames, initials, ranks, and roles of all PSNI personnel was mistakenly published online during a Freedom of Information request response. Although the data was removed within two and a half hours, it had already been accessed by dissident republicans, prompting heightened security concerns. 

Significant Data Breach Triggers Leadership Change and Major Overhaul of PSNI’s Data Management Systems

The breach led to the resignation of former Chief Constable Simon Byrne and sparked an independent review which identified significant flaws in the PSNI’s data management systems. Current Chief Constable Jon Boutcher has acknowledged the issues and committed to implementing all 37 recommendations from the review. 

The ICO highlighted the breach as preventable, criticising the PSNI’s inadequate internal procedures. While the fine could have been £5.6 million, the public sector approach reduced it to avoid adversely impacting public services.

PSNI’s Deputy Chief Constable Chris Todd accepted the findings, stressing ongoing efforts to secure data and prevent future breaches. The force continues its investigation into the incident, seeking to hold accountable those who accessed the compromised information.