Ministry of Defence faces possible data breach

Hackers have targeted a payroll system used by the Ministry of Defence, it has been reported.

The BBC said that personal information of an unknown number of serving UK military personnel has been accessed in a significant data breach by China. 

The payroll system includes names and bank details of both current and some past armed forces members and, in a very small number of cases, personal addresses. 

It is unknown who is behind the hack or what the data may be used for.

The Times reported that personnel are expected to be contacted in the coming days, though officials said there was so far no sign that any data has been lost. 

Tobias Ellwood, a Conservative MP and former soldier, told Sky News, which first reported the breach, that: "“Defending the digital terrain is now just as important as the physical — this is another reminder why we need to invest more in defence and security.

Targeting the MoD’s payroll and bank details was probably looking at the financially vulnerable with a view that they may be coerced in exchange for cash."

Defence secretary Grant Shapps is due to update MPs about the hack in the Commons today. He is expected to set out a "multi-point plan" in response, which will include action to protect affected service people.