8000 Claimants Prepare High Court Case Against Capita Following Cyber-Attack
In a dramatic turn of events, almost 8000 claimants are set to battle outsourcing giant Capita in a High Court case stemming from a crippling cyber-attack that rocked the company in 2023. Manchester-based Barings Law has taken up the mantle, slamming Capita for its mishandling of the breach, which was orchestrated by the notorious Black Basta ransomware group.
Adnan Malik, the Head of Data Breach at Barings Law, elaborated on this historic legal action against Capita, labeling it as the largest of its kind globally. The firm filed the case in the High Court earlier this year, with Malik expressing hope that the application will be presented in the coming year despite delays in the justice system.
“Though it has been over 18 months since the breach, the interest and support we have received remain unwavering. We expect more claimants to join our cause as we move forward,” Malik commented.
The breach itself saw unauthorized access to Capita’s network in late March, culminating in data exfiltration from compromised servers a month later. The gravity of the situation prompted pension scheme provider USS to alert its members of potential data exposure housed on Capita servers.
Concerns Mount Over Delayed Notifications
While USS acted swiftly in notifying its members, others have not been as prompt, as Malik pointed out. Individuals affected by the breach have faced lengthy delays in being informed about the compromised data, with some receiving notifications over a year after the incident.
Barings Law shed light on the case of a mining veteran from Yorkshire, who learned of the attack through the media months before receiving any official communication from his pension provider. Despite the glaring delays, Capita has remained tight-lipped on the matter.
On the administrative front, the Mineworkers’ Pension Scheme announced Brightwell as its new administrator, replacing Capita in early 2025. On the contrary, other pension schemes like RMSPS have opted to continue their collaboration with Capita, signing lucrative contracts in the process.
Infosecurity has attempted to reach out to Capita for their perspective on the situation, but responses are still pending.
This legal showdown between claimants and Capita promises to be a landmark case in the realm of data breaches, shedding light on the responsibilities of corporations in safeguarding sensitive information. As the saga unfolds in the High Court, all eyes are on the outcome that will undoubtedly shape future cybersecurity protocols and accountability.