Northern Ireland police data breach blamed on outdated practices

The PSNI chief constable, Jon Boutcher (right), speaking to the media in Belfast after the release of the findings of the independent review of the PSNI data breach. Photograph: Liam McBurney/PA

Outdated information management practices contributed to a massive data breach by the Police Service of Northern Ireland that should act as a “wake-up call” to other police forces, according to an independent review of the debacle.

The PSNI missed opportunities to secure and protect data, leading to the leaking of details of 9,500 staff members, says the report, which was published on Monday.