HomeTeamNS servers hit by ransomware attack

A cyber attack discovered on Feb 25 affected access to HomeTeamNS servers that contained employee data past and present, with no evidence so far that any data was stolen.

HomeTeamNS, in a statement on March 3, said it disabled the affected servers and isolated them from its IT network at once, before bringing in experts from outside the organisation to investigate and fix the problem.

It is also working with the authorities, it added.

HomeTeamNS said: "As part of our remediation efforts, the passwords of all our administrative accounts have been changed, and security scans and firewalls have been further enhanced to strengthen our network security."

Apart from employee data, the affected servers also contained vehicle details of some of its members.

"At this time, there is no evidence of data extraction, but we are monitoring closely," said HomeTeamNS.

Ransomware is a malicious software designed to block access to a computer system, often until a sum of money is paid.

HomeTeamNS is a non-profit body set up to recognise the contributions of NSmen from Singapore Police Force and Singapore Civil Defence Force.

Those who have been affected by the cyber attack have been contacted, said HomeTeamNS, and they are getting help in protecting themselves from phishing or unauthorised transactions and to minimise the impact from the incident.

HomeTeamNs added that it is working closely with its cyber-security experts, the police and the Cyber Security Agency of Singapore (CSA) as it deals with the cyber attack.

"The protection of our stakeholders' personal data is of utmost importance to HomeTeamNS," it said.