LAST UPDATE | 28 Jan

AN ONLINE PAYROLL portal used by public servants, including gardaí and other emergency services, taken offline due to a security alert has returned for most users, The Journal has learned. 

The National Shared Services Office (NSSO) has confirmed that the system used to access payslips, apply for leave and other workplace related documents has been taken offline. 

The development coincides with pay day for many of the workers who make use of the portal. It is understood it has been offline for up to a week. 

The NSSO provides human resources, payroll administration and finance services for government departments and public service bodies.

Sources have said that it was not a cyber crime incident and that it relates to a vulnerability identified in software which needed urgent updating. Such was the risk that there was a need to take the whole system offline to prevent any exposure. 

In a statement the NSSO confirmed the incident and said that it was working to fix the problem. 

“The NSSO has temporarily removed access for its customers to its online payroll service as a precautionary measure only. The matters relate to a security notification from a service provider and are not related to any cyber incident.

“The NSSO is working closely with its service providers to restore this service to its customers. It’s expected that customer access will be restored shortly. Salary payments are not impacted,” a spokeswoman said. 

This morning a spokeswoman contacted The Journal and said that the system is back online for the majority of users.