43,000 people affected in latest UK cyberattack

Let this incident convince you that cyber insurance is a product that should be pushed to clients this year – the UK’s biggest travel organisation has just reported a data breach that may have affected tens of thousands of individuals.

 

ABTA, the trade association for tour operators and travel agents, has just confirmed that its website was hacked on February 28, with the infiltrator gaining access to data provided by the group’s members and their customers.

 

In a statement, ABTA said the incident may have affected 43,000 people, including 1,000 whose files may contain the personal identity information of customers. About 650 may include personal identity information of the association’s members.

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According to ABTA, the “vast majority” of the 43,000 affected relate to people who have registered on abta.com, with email addresses and encrypted passwords, or have filled in an online form with basic contact details which are types of data at a “very low exposure risk to identity theft or online fraud.”

 

Mark Tanzer, ABTA chief executive, said they are not aware of hackers passing the stolen data. But as a precautionary measure, the travel group is warning both its members and their customers who have the potential to be affected.

 

Tanzer said they are contacting the possible victims to help keep them safe from identity theft or online fraud. ABTA has also alerted relevant authorities, including the information commissioner and the police.

 

“I would personally like to apologise for the anxiety and concern that this incident may cause to any customer of ABTA or ABTA Member who may be affected,” Tanzer said.

 

“It is extremely disappointing that our web server, managed for ABTA through a third party web developer and hosting company, was compromised, and we are taking every step we can to help those affected.”