Data breach potentially exposes information of 125,000 police officers and staff

The Japan Times reports that the information potentially exposed includes names and email addresses registered with a safety check system[1] meant for police personnel during emergencies. The paper adds that more than 18,000 email addresses belonging to members of the public and businesses that signed up for crime alerts might also have been exposed.[1]According to The Japan Times, the affected departments including those in Aichi, Hyogo and Hiroshima prefectures, had outsourced to Arcadia, based in Minoh, Osaka Prefecture[1] a system for checking whether staff were safe and able to report for duty.Jiji Press, as carried by the Manila Bulletin, reports that at some police departments, including in Tochigi and Saitama, registered information includes that on divisions to which they belong.[2] A report published by Red Hot Singapore says NPA officials put the figure at 22 prefectural police forces[3], and that no investigative information was leaked, the agency said.[3]NPA sources told The Japan Times that no cases of the potentially exposed information being used for fraud or other criminal activities have been confirmed[1]. The paper reports that the agency has also called on them to arrange alternative means of contacting personnel during emergencies.[1]According to The Japan Times, the cyberattack on Arcadia has also raised concerns about potential data breaches at other organizations, including local governments and fire departments across Japan.[1]