Parliament hit by cyber security attack

PARLIAMENT has been hit by a cyber security attack.

MPs and Peers have been left unable to remotely access their emails as a result of the incident, Parliamentary authorities said.

A House of Commons spokeswoman said: “The Houses of Parliament have discovered unauthorised attempts to access parliamentary user accounts.

“We are continuing to investigate this incident and take further measures to secure the computer network, liaising with the National Cyber Security Centre.

“We have systems in place to protect member and staff accounts and are taking the necessary steps to protect our systems.”

The spokeswoman said that the lack of remote access for users was not part of the attack, but due to protection measures dealing with the incident.

She said: “Parliament has disabled remote access to protect the network.”

Liberal Democrat peer Baron Rennard tweeted: “Cyber security attack on Westminster, Parliamentary e.mails may not work remotely.”

Cyber security attack on Westminster Parliamentary e.mails may not work remotely Text urgent messages @LibDemLords @LabourLordsUK @Torypeers

— Chris Rennard #FBPE (@LordRennard) June 24, 2017

The attack follows reports that passwords for MPs and officials were being sold online by hackers.

Henry Smith, Tory MP for Crawley, tweeted: “Sorry no parliamentary emailaccess today – we’re under cyber attack from Kim Jong Un, (Vladimir) Putin or akid in his mom’s basement or something…”

Sorry no parliamentary email access today – we're under cyber attack from Kim Jong Un, Putin or a kid in his mom's basement or something…

— Henry Smith MP ?? (@HenrySmithUK) June 24, 2017

The National Crime Agency said it was working with the NCSC on the issue.

It tweeted: “We’re aware of a possible cyber incident affecting parliament & are actively cooperating with #ncsc who’re leading the operational response.”

International Trade Secretary Liam Fox told ITV News that the attack was a “warning to everyone we need more security and better passwords. You wouldn’t leave your door open at night.”