Hackney Council services and products to be disrupted ‘for some time’

Inability to create housing income funds is at risk of sting some tenants as Hackney cyber assault drags on

Alex Scroxton

Alex Scroxton,
Security Editor

Published: 20 Oct 2020 16: 57

Key Hackney Council services and products remain unavailable a week after its systems were hit by a cyber assault and have a tendency to remain “disrupted for some time”, potentially leaving tenants of rented lodging at risk of eviction and homelessness.

The assault, which is being probed by the National Cyber Security Centre and the Details Commissioner’s Blueprint of job, began on or around 13 October.

The categorical nature of the incident has no longer been disclosed – ostensibly to avoid assisting the attackers extra – but it completely bears the hallmarks of a ransomware assault.

In its most modern notify, Hackney Council acknowledged: “Council crew are working laborious to revive services and products, protect files and study the assault.

“Residents and companies are requested to avoid contacting us until fully vital – but our phone lines remain originate for extremely crucial support and recommendation and emergency help.”

At the time of writing, the council used to be unable to settle for new suggestions to brand up for its housing waiting list, for housing income, or for its council tax good deal procedure, though emergency homelessness recommendation and help stays readily available.

It’s additionally unable to settle for rent and service price, council tax and business rate funds, though someone making a rate via protest debit is unaffected.

By manner of outgoing funds, the council for the time being can not create discretionary housing funds, dealer funds or housing income.

Housing income is designed to help tenants pay their rent within the occasion that they are unemployed, on low earnings or claiming advantages.

It’s for the time being one day of of being replaced by Trendy Credit, but many renters in Hackney are understanding to mute be claiming it and though the council is waiving penalties for folks unable to create a rate if all rate alternate suggestions are unavailable, the identical alternate suggestions must always no longer basically readily available to tenants of non-public landlords within the borough.

A Hackney Council spokesperson declined to comment extra on the incident at this stage.

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