A 17-year-old boy has been arrested in connection with a cyber security incident affecting Transport for London (TfL), where about 5,000 customers’ sort codes and bank account details could have been accessed by hackers. The National Crime Agency (NCA) reported that the teenager was arrested in Walsall, West Midlands, after the cyber attack began four days earlier.
TfL stated that data including names, emails, and home addresses had been accessed, and the NCA confirmed that the teenager was arrested on suspicion of Computer Misuse Act offenses. The NCA is working with TfL and the National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC) to minimize the risk to customers.
Paul Foster, head of the NCA’s National Cyber Crime Unit, emphasized the disruptive nature of attacks on public infrastructure and the severe consequences they can have on local communities and national systems. TfL’s chief technology officer, Shashi Verma, assured that affected customers would be contacted directly and that investigations into the cyber attack were ongoing.
The incident highlights the importance of cybersecurity and the need for vigilance in protecting personal data. The NCSC is advising anyone who suspects they may have been a victim of a data breach to be cautious of suspicious emails, phone calls, or text messages. TfL is committed to ensuring the security of its systems and customer data, and apologizes for any inconvenience caused by the incident.
