Data Breach FAQ's
Q1. How will the PFNI support me?
Firstly, PFNI will support all officers with welfare and support. We are in attendance at meetings with the Senior Executive Team and have the ability to voice concerns raised to us and will ensure the PSNI is addressing those appropriately.
Secondly, if you are a member of the PFNI Voluntary Fund we will support you through the legal process of the consequences of the impact on you which may include compensation at a later stage, when the full impact of this matter has become known to you.
Q2. What do I need to do?
With respect to your concern around risk to your safety please ensure you have completed the Welfare form circulated by PSNI so that they can assess any risk to you and support you with ensuring that preventative measures are in place. This was conveyed to all in email from ACC Todd on 9 August 2023.
Please retain a copy as the solicitor may wish to see the information contained on it too.
Be aware of your own personal security for you and your family with regards to setting patterns travelling, discussing work matters in police company or venues etc. This should be a practice already adopted by you as a police officer. Ensure you share your concerns and impact with your Line manager so they can support you too.
If you wish to be legally represented with regards to potential consequences, please email PFNI Legal Department at [email protected] providing your name, service number, email address and contact number.
There is no requirement to complete the PFNI legal application form for this matter.
Please be reassured PFNI IT systems operate under a high level of Information Security and your information is protected.
Each application should be sent separately to assist with the administration process. Please do not include more than one person per contact.
Q3. What next?
PFNI Legal partner, Edward & Co, are designing a questionnaire which will aim to gather the impact on you and relevant information they will require to advance any legal matter. This will be forwarded to the contact method provided by you.
When completed please return directly to PFNI for collation. Given the sensitivity of some information we will ensure these forms are hand delivered securely to Edward & Co.
Solicitors will contact you to progress your claim.
It is accepted that the impact may change over time, and this can be updated as and when the matter progresses.
Q4. What if I am not a member of the PFNI Voluntary Fund?
PFNI will support all officers with advice and support.
Legal assistance, however, is only available to those who subscribe to the Voluntary Fund. However, our legal Partners at Edward & Co are willing to provide a service to you which will be between yourself and them. The reassurance of having security cleared partners will hopefully address any concerns you have about sharing further information. Their contact address for non PFNI VF members is [email protected]
NIPSA, Unite and other unions reps can support police staff colleagues and should be contacted through local representatives.
Q5. What if my details have been compromised in both recent data breaches (Service wide and Antrim & Newtownabbey)?
If, unfortunately, you have been compromised by both breaches the one notification to PFNI will suffice. Your questionnaire for legal assistance and welfare form for PSNI risk assessment should include details around both breaches to allow the impact to be assessed properly and legal advice will give consideration to the two separate incidents.
Q6. How long will the legal process take?
The breach has occurred and that is not debated by PSNI, however as this matter is still in the very early stages, it is difficult to say what the actual impact of the breach will have on you. It is important that the process allows a period of time to ascertain what, if any, impact it has had to determine if any potential recompense is appropriate.
At this stage it is important to register with PFNI and commence the process. In due course, updates will be shared with you directly from the solicitors about individual matters. PFNI will continue to update its membership on a regular basis.
Q7. Will there be any cost to me?
Following recent changes to PFNI Rules and charges for any costs incurred [Rule 5 PFNI Voluntary Fund] cost will only be borne by yourself if you are successful in receiving any financial compensation that outweighs the cost to PFNI and that the PFNI cannot recover these costs elsewhere (i.e. medical evidence to support psychological trauma).
