Weekly Industry News 22nd October 25
Data Protection Practitioners’ Conference
Our conference is over for 2025! Nearly 7,000 data protection professionals joined us on 14 October. We’ll start planning 2026s event soon. In the meantime, the learning continues . . .
We’ll post all the content from conference here over the next couple of weeks. That includes key notes, panel sessions, seminars and bonus DPPC+ content.
Capita fined £14m for data protection failings in 2023 cyber-attack
The outsourcing company Capita has been fined £14m for data protection failings after hackers stole the personal information of 6.6 million people, including staff details and those of its clients’ customers.
John Edwards, the UK information commissioner who levied the fine, said the March 2023 data theft from the group and companies it supported, including 325 pension providers, caused anxiety and stress for those affected.
Capita find £14m for data protection failings in 2023 cyber-attack | Capita | The Guardian
NCSC Annual Review 2025
The National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC), a part of GCHQ, is the UK’s technical authority for cyber security. Since 2016, it has worked to make the UK the safest place to live and work online, and bring clarity and insight to an increasingly complex online world. This review of its ninth year reflects highlights and milestones between 1 September 2024 and 31 August 2025. It also looks ahead to future challenges.
As part of a national security agency, not all its work can be disclosed publicly but the review seeks to describe the year with insights and facts from colleagues inside and out of the organisation.
Microsoft warns of a 32% surge in identity hacks, mainly driven by stolen passwords
Hackers are increasingly using stolen identities to breach organizations, impersonating employees or contractors before stealing data and launching ransomware, according to new research.
Microsoft’s 85-page Digital Defense Report 2025 covers dozens of pertinent cybersecurity issues including ransomware, nation-state attacks, AI and more. But the company’s researchers said the one statistic that stood out more than most others was the continued success of password attacks that allowed hackers to take over victim accounts.
Amazon fixes huge AWS outage that broke much of the internet – here’s what happened
A huge Amazon Web Services (AWS) outage broke dozens of popular apps and websites including Alexa, Ring, Reddit, Snapchat and Wordle yesterday, but it’s now been fixed.
The problems started at around 2.40am ET / 7.40am BST on October 20 when a large spike on Downdetector showed reported problems with Amazon Web Services – which in turn took down the hundreds of services that rely on its cloud computing power.
Amazon fixes huge AWS outage that broke much of the internet – here’s what happened | TechRadar
ISO updates standard on managing privacy compliance programs
For the first time since 2019, the International Organization for Standardization has updated its international standard for managing privacy compliance programs.
There are several significant changes in the updated ISO 27701. The standard is now a standalone management system, meaning organizations will no longer need to have an ISO 27001 certified Information Security Management System. However, those with an ISMS will be able to integrate the two management systems.
ISO updates standard on managing privacy compliance programs | IAPP
Safeguarding, British Values & Prevent News
Millions celebrate the festival of Diwali around the world
Millions of Hindus, Sikhs and Jains across the world are celebrating Diwali, also known as the festival of lights.
It symbolises the spiritual victory of light over darkness, good over evil, and knowledge over ignorance.
In the northern Indian temple town of Ayodhya in Uttar Pradesh, a record 2.6 million lamps were lit along the Saryu riverbanks ahead of the festival.
In pictures: Diwali celebrations from around the world – BBC Newsround
Leeds Man Sentenced for Explosives Recipe
A 49-year-old man from Leeds has received a custodial sentence of three years and nine months for possessing a handwritten recipe for gun powder.
Martyn Paul Gilleard (15/07/76), from Town Street in Armley, appeared at Leeds Crown Court for sentencing today, Monday, October 20, 2025. He was further sentenced to four years on extended licence and will also be subject to a Serious Crime Prevention Order for five years and terrorism notification requirements for ten years.
Leeds Man Sentenced for Explosives Recipe | Counter Terrorism Policing
King meets survivors of Manchester synagogue attack
King Charles has met survivors of the car and knife attack on a Manchester synagogue in which two people were killed.
The monarch expressed his “sadness” following the “terrible” incident as he met synagogue leaders and members of the Jewish community, including three people who were injured in the attack.
The King also met members of the emergency services at Greater Manchester Police’s headquarters and thanked each group for their “fantastic response”.
King Charles meets survivors of Manchester synagogue attack – BBC News
Tenth person charged after fatal stabbing
A tenth person has been charged in connection with the fatal stabbing of a 21-year-old man in Derby.
Dale Martin, known as DJ, died in hospital after being attacked in Stenson Road at about 23:45 BST on 15 June.
Seven people have been charged with his murder and two women charged with assisting an offender, Derbyshire Police said.
Tenth person charged after fatal stabbing of Dale Martin – BBC News