TfL hit by huge cyber attack as millions of commuters sent important update

Transport for London (TfL) has called in the National Crime Agency following a huge cyber attack, while also sending an important update to millions of commuters.

Technology experts are trying to determine the damage caused by the breach. TfL, which is responsible for the majority of London's transport network, described the incident as "ongoing".

But TfL said the early indications are that customer data has not been compromised by the cyber attack, adding the transport network and other services have not been affected. No specific details of the incident have been shared by the organisation.

TfL's Chief Technology Officer Shashi Verma said: "We have introduced a number of measures to our internal systems to deal with an ongoing cyber security incident.

"The security of our systems and customer data is very important to us and we will continue to assess the situation throughout and after the incident.

"Although we’ll need to complete our full assessment, at present, there is currently no evidence that any customer data has been compromised.

"There is currently no impact to TfL services and we are working closely with the National Crime Agency and the National Cyber Security Centre to respond to the incident."

The BBC reported that employees have been asked to work from home if possible and that the cyber attack has mainly affected the transport provider's backroom systems at the corporate headquarters.

On the TfL website, a statement was released on Monday which read: "We are currently dealing with an ongoing cyber security incident."

They repeated Shashi Verma's statement that their system security and customer data "is very important to us", adding that "we have taken immediate action to prevent any further access to our systems.

"We will update you further when the incident has been resolved."

While TfL insists that its services have not been affected, commuters have faced delays and cancellations at London Waterloo following a separate incident earlier on Monday involving a trespasser on the railway.

While all lines have since reopened, disruption is expected to last until 9pm.

In June, the NHS was the victim of a cyber attack, with a pathology laboratory that processes blood tests having been affected.

As many as five hospitals, including St Thomas' and King's College Hospital, were forced to cancel operations and blood transfusions and a critical incident was declared in London.