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TalkTalk attack: 'Urgent action needed' on cyber-crime TalkTalk attack: 'Urgent action needed' on cyber-crime
(35 minutes later)
Business leaders have called for urgent action to tackle cyber-crime after an attack on TalkTalk, calling it one of the biggest threats facing companies.Business leaders have called for urgent action to tackle cyber-crime after an attack on TalkTalk, calling it one of the biggest threats facing companies.
The Institute of Directors (IoD) said only "serious breaches" made the headlines, but attacks on British businesses "happen constantly".The Institute of Directors (IoD) said only "serious breaches" made the headlines, but attacks on British businesses "happen constantly".
The government replied by saying it was "committed to tackling cyber-crime".The government replied by saying it was "committed to tackling cyber-crime".
It comes as police are investigating a ransom demand from a group purporting to be behind the TalkTalk attack.It comes as police are investigating a ransom demand from a group purporting to be behind the TalkTalk attack.
'Suspicious activity''Suspicious activity'
TalkTalk revealed on Thursday it had been the victim of a cyber-attack in which the personal and banking details of up to four million of its customers may have been accessed by hackers. The phone and broadband provider revealed on Thursday it had been the victim of a cyber-attack in which the personal and banking details of up to four million of its customers may have been accessed by hackers.
The company said a criminal investigation had been launched into the attack. It has said it does not know how much of the customer information was encrypted.The company said a criminal investigation had been launched into the attack. It has said it does not know how much of the customer information was encrypted.
BBC business correspondent Joe Lynam said it was not clear what the encryption requirements were for companies holding customer data. There have been some reports of TalkTalk customers seeing suspicious activity on their bank accounts but so far no confirmation of fraud relating to the hack.
He said there had been some reports of TalkTalk customers seeing suspicious activity on their bank accounts but so far no confirmation of fraud relating to the hack.
Cyber-crime consultant Adrian Culley told BBC Breakfast the hackers had obtained "high-value" data and it was "going to take time to fully investigate" the attack.Cyber-crime consultant Adrian Culley told BBC Breakfast the hackers had obtained "high-value" data and it was "going to take time to fully investigate" the attack.
He said he had already seen online what "very much appears to be genuine" TalkTalk customer bank details.He said he had already seen online what "very much appears to be genuine" TalkTalk customer bank details.
He said those who uploaded the data had redacted account numbers but published customers' bank sort codes.He said those who uploaded the data had redacted account numbers but published customers' bank sort codes.
'Scourge''Scourge'
IoD senior corporate governance adviser Oliver Parry urged the police to make cyber-crime an "urgent priority and investigate theft of data just as it would theft of physical property".IoD senior corporate governance adviser Oliver Parry urged the police to make cyber-crime an "urgent priority and investigate theft of data just as it would theft of physical property".
He said that while the government had a role to play in passing information on to companies, companies themselves "are ultimately responsible for protecting their customers' data". He added that companies needed to review risks regularly to "ensure they know where the potential threats are coming from and are prepared in case the worst happens".
"The risks need to be reviewed regularly by the board of directors, who must ensure they know where the potential threats are coming from and are prepared in case the worst happens.
"The UK is a world leader in the digital economy, so we urge the government and companies to work together to make us the world leader in countering the scourge of cyber-crime."
The Home Office said it had invested £860m in cyber security through the National Cyber Security Programme.The Home Office said it had invested £860m in cyber security through the National Cyber Security Programme.
TalkTalk chief executive Dido Harding said she did not know whether the ransom email was genuine.
What should you do if you think you're at risk?What should you do if you think you're at risk?
TalkTalk hack: What should I do?TalkTalk hack: What should I do?
Labour MP Keith Vaz, chairman of the Home Affairs Select Committee, said suggestions that TalkTalk covered up the scale and duration of the attack were "alarming and unacceptable" and "must be thoroughly investigated". Labour MP Keith Vaz, chairman of the Home Affairs Select Committee, said suggestions TalkTalk covered up the scale and duration of the attack were "alarming" and "must be thoroughly investigated".
He told the Daily Telegraph: "When such sensitive data as bank details have been compromised, companies have a duty to warn customers immediately." TalkTalk said such accusations were "deeply unfair" and it went public with the information within 36 hours of the breach.
TalkTalk responded: "We haven't been covering up anything. We went public with this within 36 hours. It's not easy to go much quicker. We cannot be accused of trying to hide the scale of this. That is deeply unfair."
The company has said its website is now secure again, and that TV, broadband, mobile and phone services were not affected by the attack.The company has said its website is now secure again, and that TV, broadband, mobile and phone services were not affected by the attack.
However the sales website and "my account" services are still down, despite the company having hoped to restore them on Friday.However the sales website and "my account" services are still down, despite the company having hoped to restore them on Friday.
TalkTalk said there was a chance that some of the following customer data, not all of which was encrypted, had been accessed: TalkTalk said there was a chance that some of the following customer data had been accessed:
This is the third time this year that TalkTalk has been targeted by hackers.This is the third time this year that TalkTalk has been targeted by hackers.
In August, the company revealed its mobile sales site had been targeted and personal data breached.In August, the company revealed its mobile sales site had been targeted and personal data breached.
And in February, TalkTalk customers were warned about scammers who had managed to steal thousands of account numbers and names. The attacks are understood to be unrelated.And in February, TalkTalk customers were warned about scammers who had managed to steal thousands of account numbers and names. The attacks are understood to be unrelated.
Google and McAfee estimate there are 2,000 cyber attacks every day around the world, costing the global economy about £300bn a year.Google and McAfee estimate there are 2,000 cyber attacks every day around the world, costing the global economy about £300bn a year.
Are you a TalkTalk customer? If you have any information to share with the BBC, you can email haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk.Are you a TalkTalk customer? If you have any information to share with the BBC, you can email haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk.
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