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GSOC finds IT security 'vulnerability' following cyber warning

The garda watchdog found the security threat after a “general advisory” was issued.

THE GARDA Síochána Ombudsman Commission (GSOC) has notified the Data Protection Commission following the discovery of an IT security “vulnerability”.

GSOC said that the body was alerted by a routine warning from the National Cyber Security Centre. 

A source said there had been no security attack and there was no breach similar to the HSE ransomware incident

A spokesperson said in a statement that the vulnerability was identified and immediate action was taken.

“The Garda Síochána Ombudsman Commission (GSOC) routinely reviews its IT security. As part of this process, we monitor alerts from Ireland’s National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC) and technology providers.

“In recent weeks, in a swift response to a NCSC General Advisory, GSOC conducted a review of the relevant IT systems. This review identified a potential vulnerability and working with the NCSC and an independent IT specialist a full examination was conducted of GSOC’s systems.

“This examination has identified no breach or loss of GSOC information or data,” the statement said. 

GSOC said that they were continuing to liaise with the NCSC and had notified the Data Protection Commission.

“GSOC takes the issue of security extremely seriously and has processes in place to deal quickly with incidents like this.

“Finally, as required, the Data Protection Commission (DPC) has been notified of the incident. The assistance of the NCSC in ensuring the integrity of GSOC’s systems has been invaluable in this matter,” the spokesperson added. 

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    Mute Gavin Tobin
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    Sep 10th 2021, 9:56 PM

    Another Windows XP bug found in state PCs?

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    Mute Bluechip78
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    Sep 10th 2021, 10:38 PM

    Big whoop

    Software vulnerabilities are announced by vendors on a daily basis.

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    Mute Vonvonic
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    Sep 10th 2021, 10:13 PM

    When we got our first computer in school in the 80s, the head master said to us; “A computer is only a television screen with a typewriter attached onto to it. Don’t be a bit afraid of it lads. It won’t bite.”

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    Mute ⚡ Seánie ⚡
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    Sep 11th 2021, 8:36 AM

    @Vonvonic: I was told in the late 90′s in our secondary school in Edenderry that they were only a fad & wouldn’t catch on. Don’t bother with them & get some homework done during the class instead….

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    Mute Jamie Sheehan
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    Sep 13th 2021, 3:19 AM

    @⚡ Seánie ⚡: We had a computer lab which they sold all the computers and replaced them with electronic Brother typewriters. Mental stuff..

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    Mute Ken Loughman
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    Sep 11th 2021, 2:46 AM

    It’s when I see articles like this that I’m tempted to shout “Use Linux!”. This may not be an operating system problem, though.

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    Mute Col de Gal
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    Sep 11th 2021, 10:46 AM

    As required, we reported the data breach we didn’t have. Makes total sense.

    If every vulnerability is to be reported to the DPC they’re going to need a much bigger office. Perhaps this was less ‘vulnerability’ and more ‘we left shedloads of sensitive data where it could be read by anyone, but fingers crossed nobody did’

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    Mute Tom Donovan
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    Sep 11th 2021, 10:12 AM

    In other news every network in the country has new vulnerabilities today

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    Mute vanguard
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    Sep 13th 2021, 6:11 PM

    Time for a separate intelligence service.

    Garda policing combined with intelligence service, marks Ireland an outlier in the World.

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