Cyber attacks on Kent councils disrupt online services

Cyber attacks have disrupted online services for three councils in Kent.

Canterbury City Council and Dover District Council said they were investigating "incidents".

Thanet District Council said it had received reports of a "potential security incident".

Access to parts of each council's website may have been impacted as a result of "precautions" taken after the attacks, they said.

The councils are working with the National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC).

The NCSC defines cyber incidents as a breach of a system's security policy in line with the Computer Misuse Act.

Thanet District Council said it was currently limiting access to "a number" of its online systems and apologised for inconvenience caused to users.

"This is a proactive decision following reports of a potential security incident," it said in a statement.

"While we investigate, this precaution may affect some of our online services."

Canterbury and Dover issued the same statement, saying they were "liaising closely" with experts at the NCSC.

"Our email system and website have been available throughout although some parts of the website may not quite work as intended," the statement said.

"We are sorry for any inconvenience people may have experienced over the past few days and will provide updates as and when we have them."

A number of councils have faced cyber attacks in recent years, including Redcar and Cleveland, which admitted a 2020 breach cost it more than £7m.

Last year, Oldham Council said it was fighting off 10,000 attacks a day.

Follow BBC South East on Facebook, on X, and on Instagram. Send your story ideas to [email protected].