Foilsiú
Cybersecurity Incident: Your Questions
Ó Oifig an Choimisinéara um Fhaisnéis Comhshaoil
Foilsithe
An t-eolas is déanaí
Teanga: Níl leagan Gaeilge den mhír seo ar fáil.
Ó Oifig an Choimisinéara um Fhaisnéis Comhshaoil
Foilsithe
An t-eolas is déanaí
Teanga: Níl leagan Gaeilge den mhír seo ar fáil.
Note: This page is being actively updated to reflect latest information. This page was first published on 17 December, 2025, and was updated on 19 December, 22 December, 6 January and 19 January.
Q. What happened?
On Thursday 11 December 2025 the Office of the Commissioner for Environmental Information was the subject of a random cybersecurity attack on some of its IT systems.
As a precaution, some systems were initially taken offline to contain the threat while the incident was investigated. Systems not affected by the attack are now back online, and we are working hard to fully restore normal service.
Q. Has my data been taken?
Based on extensive investigations, including forensic investigations, and all the information currently available to us, we are confident that no personal data was taken. Our priority is to continue to protect people’s personal data.
Q. What action has been taken to protect my data?
Once we became aware of the incident our priority was to protect the data of people who rely on the services of the Office of the Commissioner for Environmental Information, and to restore services safely.
The NCSC (National Cyber Security Centre) activated its incident response plan and put in place enhanced monitoring to support the Office of the Commissioner for Environmental Information .
The incident was also notified to the Data Protection Commissioner and An Garda Síochána.
We are now confident that no personal data was taken. However, at an early stage, an injunction was secured from the High Court prohibiting any publication of data.
For general guidance relating to data protection, please see the Data Protection Commission website . For general advice relating to the cyber security, please see the National Cyber Security Centre website . For queries relating to Office of Commissioner for Environmental Information’s data protection, see our Privacy notice .
Q. Do the attackers currently have access to the IT system?
No. When the incident was discovered our IT system was secured to ensure the attackers no longer had access.
Q. What services are impacted?
By 15 December, all public-facing services had been restored.
As a result of this attack, the electronic case management system we relied on to carry out our work is no longer available. Unfortunately, this means dealing with cases will take longer than usual. We have put in place alternative processes to securely manage cases and we are working hard to fully restore normal service. However, this will take some time.
Our staff remain available to provide advice and address customer queries.
Q. I currently have a case with the OCEI. What do I need to do?
We appreciate your patience while we are doing everything possible to fully restore our services. You do not need to contact us at this stage. Updates will be provided on the OCEI website as verified information becomes available.
Our email system is secure. If you wish to contact us, please respond to the latest email correspondence from this Office if you have a case with us.
Q. Can I submit a new appeal to the Commissioner for Environmental Information?
Yes. If you wish to submit a new appeal, please use the webform that is available on our website at www.ocei.ie .