Publication
Cybersecurity Incident: Your Questions
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Note: This page is being actively updated to reflect latest information. This page was first published on 17 December, 2025, and was updated on 19 December, 22 December, 6 January and 19 January.
Q. What happened?
On Thursday 11 December 2025 the Office of the Ombudsman was the subject of a random cybersecurity attack on some of its IT systems.
As a precaution, some systems were initially taken offline to contain the threat while the incident was investigated. Systems not affected by the attack are now back online, and we are working hard to fully restore normal service.
Q. Has my data been taken?
Based on extensive investigations, including forensic investigations, and all the information currently available to us, we are confident that no personal data was taken. Our priority is to continue to protect people’s personal data.
Q. What action has been taken to protect my data?
Once we became aware of the incident our priority was to protect the data of people who rely on the services of the Ombudsman and the Offices it supports, and to restore services safely.
The NCSC (National Cyber Security Centre) activated its incident response plan and put in place enhanced monitoring to support the Office of the Ombudsman.
The incident was also notified to the Data Protection Commissioner and An Garda Síochána.
We are now confident that no personal data was taken. However, at an early stage, an injunction was secured from the High Court prohibiting any publication of data.
For general guidance relating to data protection, please see the Data Protection Commission website . For general advice relating to the cyber security, please see the National Cyber Security Centre website . For queries relating to Ombudsman data protection, see our Privacy notice .
Q. What services are impacted?
By 15 December, all public-facing services had been restored. However, as a result of this attack, the electronic case management system we relied on to carry out our work is no longer available. Unfortunately, this means dealing with cases will take longer than usual. We have put in place processes to securely manage cases and we are working hard to fully restore normal service. However, this will take a number of months. Our staff remain available to provide advice and address customer queries.
Q. Do the attackers currently have access to the IT system?
No. When the incident was discovered our IT system was secured to ensure the attackers no longer had access.
Q. Can I submit a new complaint to the Ombudsman?
Yes. Our online Make a Complaint form is available. This is the easiest way to make a complaint to us. Please note: We no longer accept complaints by email. While we can accept new complaints, restoring our operational services may take some time. Your complaint will be acknowledged. However please be aware that it may be some time before we will be able to progress your complaint.
Once work has commenced on your complaint, your caseworker will contact you directly.
Q. I have already submitted a complaint to the Ombudsman. Do I need to do anything?
If you have already made a complaint to the Ombudsman, as noted above, there will be delays in relation to the processing of your case. Please bear with us and a caseworker will be in touch with you directly.