A supplier for the City of Brussels experienced a cyberattack that may have led to the leak of personal identification data related to early childhood care. The compromised information could potentially be made public and misused for illegal purposes. Upon being notified, the City of Brussels promptly initiated an investigation with the supplier to assess the circumstances of the attack, the scope of the data breach, and the specific types of information affected.
To address the situation, the City of Brussels implemented comprehensive preventive and corrective measures, focusing on technical and organizational improvements to enhance data security. Notifications and declarations were filed with the necessary authorities, including the Belgian Centre for Cybersecurity (CCB) and the Data Protection Authority (GBA). These actions aim to mitigate risks and ensure compliance with data protection regulations.
The City of Brussels also issued practical advice for individuals to protect themselves against potential risks following the breach. Citizens are urged to be vigilant about suspicious emails or phone calls, particularly those requesting personal or financial information. Verifying the identity of unknown callers and refraining from sharing sensitive details are key recommendations to minimize exposure to fraud.
In addition, individuals are encouraged to update their passwords, especially if the same password is used across multiple accounts. This proactive step helps to secure personal information and prevent unauthorized access. The City of Brussels continues to work with authorities and the supplier to safeguard affected individuals and prevent similar incidents in the future.
Reference:
