Over the last 2 months students in London have feared for their suspended discounted travel services due to TfL systems being hacked in early September. The cyber security incident has affected many including 16+ and 18+ entitled to zip cards as well as 60+ for older Londoners.
In addition, many students with expired zip cards cannot at present renew their photo cards on the website, therefore they must show their expired Oyster cards to a member of staff to be granted full access on public transport services.
Despite this, the acceptance of zip cards, offering free bus travel and half-price tube travel to students, has been due to end on October the 31st but recently it has been approved that TfL will continue to accept until the end of the year whilst they continue to conduct “thorough investigation” into the disruptions.
The organisation also has plans to refund customers for additional travel costs whilst the website is unavailable therefore you are advised to keep record of costs via receipts, bank statements or paper tickets.
TFL’s Chief Technology Officer, Shashi Verma, states that this is “by far the most aggressive and sophisticated attack” they have seen but will continue to keep customers and staff updated on the incident as part of the ongoing work.
Although there has been little impact so far, investigations to date have determined that certain customer data has been exposed.
Around 5,000 customer’s names and contact details have been hacked in the process, revealing why parts of TfL’s online services have been shut down as precautions to prevent further attacks.
It also meant that plannings to expand contactless payment to National Rail Stations outside of London has been put on hold.
Whilst taking immediate measures to improve their online security, TfL are undertaking a staff IT identity check which could further affect services for a limited period as it is still unknown when systems can be up and running again.
The Mayor, Sadiq Khan, reveals that TfL are “working incredibly hard around the clock” in response to the breach in cyber security and there is recognition in inconvenience to Londoners, “including young Londoners going about their business and trying to use their Zip card”.
We must only hope to see the “light at the end of the tunnel” and that by the end of the year all operations are restored and the lockdown around TfL computer systems can finally be lifted.
Further updates are available on the Tfl website.
