The names, pictures and addresses of about 8,000 children have reportedly been stolen from the Kido nursery chain by a gang of cybercriminals.
The criminals have demanded a ransom from the company – which has 18 sites around London, with more in the US, India and China – according to the BBC.
The hackers have claimed they also possess information about the children’s parents and carers, as well as safeguarding notes, and have contacted some by phone as part of their extortion tactics.
Kido was contacted for comment. The company has yet to confirm the hackers’ claims. The company has not released a public statement nor confirmed the hackers’ claims.
An employee at one of the nurseries told the BBC they had been notified of a data breach.
The Metropolitan police said they had received a referral on Thursday “following reports of a ransomware attack on a London-based organisation”. They added: “Enquiries are ongoing and remain in the early stages within the Met’s cyber crime unit. No arrests have been made.”
A spokesperson from the Information Commissioner’s Office said: “Kido International has reported an incident to us and we are assessing the information provided.”
A number of companies have been subjected to cyber-attacks in recent months. The Co-op said it had fallen into the red after it suffered an £80m hit to profits as a result of an attempted hack in April.
after newsletter promotion
JLR, the maker of Jaguar and Land Rover cars, has not been able to assemble cars since the start of the month after cyber-attackers penetrated its computer systems.
The company was forced to shut down most of the computer systems it uses to track parts, vehicles and tooling in its factories, as well as everything to do with selling its luxury Range Rover, Discovery and Defender SUVs.
The company has restarted a limited number of computer systems.
Quick Guide
Contact Guardian Business about this story
Show
The best public interest journalism relies on first-hand accounts from people in the know.
If you have something to share on this subject you can contact the Business team confidentially using the following methods.
Secure Messaging in the Guardian app
The Guardian app has a tool to send tips about stories. Messages are end to end encrypted and concealed within the routine activity that every Guardian mobile app performs. This prevents an observer from knowing that you are communicating with us at all, let alone what is being said.
If you don’t already have the Guardian app, download it (iOS/Android) and go to the menu. Scroll down and click on Secure Messaging. When asked who you wish to contact please select the Guardian Business team.
SecureDrop, instant messengers, email, telephone and post
If you can safely use the tor network without being observed or monitored you can send messages and documents to the Guardian via our SecureDrop platform.
Finally, our guide at .com/tips lists several ways to contact us securely, and discusses the pros and cons of each.
