PSNI Prepares For "Potential" Cyber Attack In Northern Ireland

By Adam Evans

PSNI says its been liasing closely with government representatives to ensure Northern Ireland is prepared for the possibility of a cyber attack.

It follows a large scale Ransomware attack on NHS computer networks in England and Wales.

Detective Chief Inspector Douglas Grant, Head of PSNI Cyber Crime Centre said: "Since this attack occurred on Friday afternoon we have been working with representatives from the national government, National Crime Agency, National Cyber Security Centre and cyber security experts to put in place mechanisms to mitigate the risk to systems in Northern Ireland.

"While there is currently no suggestion that systems within NI have been targeted, we remain conscious that we must act to ensure the integrity of cyber networks and take appropriate action to reduce the threat posed by cyber criminals."

An investigation's underway to find the hackers behind the cyber attack which crippled telephone and computer systems around the world. 

It hit organisations in at least 99 countries.

The software used is said to be well known in the cyber security community.