The Ontario Public Service Employees Union (OPSEU) confirmed that it was impacted by a cybersecurity incident on Wednesday. While the union has not disclosed whether any data was compromised, an investigation is underway. OPSEU represents over 180,000 public sector workers across Ontario, and it immediately began working with third-party cybersecurity experts to contain the attack. The union’s spokesperson emphasized that the incident was not caused by any failure in OPSEU’s IT systems.
After the attack, OPSEU implemented countermeasures and engaged law enforcement and legal counsel to assist with the ongoing investigation.
The union noted disruptions to its normal operations as it worked to restore its communication tools and servers. A message from OPSEU on Thursday stated that an unauthorized third party had accessed its systems, and the union was actively reviewing the situation to determine the extent of the breach. OPSEU also warned members of possible disruptions and urged them to monitor their financial accounts closely.
Although the investigation is still in its early stages, OPSEU advised members to remain vigilant against any suspicious communications. The union urged members to be cautious of unsolicited emails or calls requesting personal information. If members notice any unusual activity in their financial accounts, they were advised to contact their banks immediately.
The union’s website provided contact information for members seeking assistance with specific inquiries during the recovery process.
OPSEU assured its members that restoring normal operations and resolving the incident was their top priority. The union pledged to notify affected individuals promptly if any personal information was compromised. Members were also reminded to report any suspicious communication that seemed to come from OPSEU. OPSEU expressed appreciation for its members’ patience and understanding as it worked diligently to resolve the situation.
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