Transport for London (TfL) has announced an independent investigation into a cyber attack that targeted the organisation on 31st August.
The attack caused widespread disruption, including a suspension of new Oyster photocard applications as a precautionary measure. While TfL has emphasised that core operations were largely unaffected, the impact of the incident has been felt for several weeks.
While TfL stressed that the incident did not, for the most part, “disrupt our core operations”, papers published on Tuesday night (26th) ahead of TfL’s next board meeting stated: “Given the nature and scale of the cyber incident, an independent review will be conducted to consider the circumstances surrounding the incident and the impact, our response to the incident, and whether further improvements are needed to our cyber security strategy, taking into consideration existing initiatives that are in progress.
“As the cyber incident is ongoing and the subject of a criminal investigation by the NCA [National Crime Agency], the review may be undertaken in phases. The review will be overseen by members of our board.”
The independent review will examine TfL’s response to the attack and identify any lessons to be learned. The findings of the investigation will be published in due course.
Shashi Verma, TfL’s chief technology officer, said: “We’re working to process all [Oyster photocard] applications as quickly as possible and have already processed and dispatched more than 30,000 18+ Oyster student photocards, more than 10,000 60+ Oyster photocards and nearly 600 apprentice photocards since the applications reopened.
“Once new photocards have been applied for, where possible, credit remaining on expired Oyster photocards can be transferred across to new photocards by contacting our customer services team. Customers are also advised to keep a record of any fares that they should be refunded. We’re beginning to work through our refunds for some of our customers, and are working in a priority order, starting with the oldest cases first.”
Image source: (c) Transport for London
