We want to let you know about a cyber security incident involving Beacon, the system we use to manage membership information.

Beacon has informed us that it experienced a cyber security incident affecting its systems. Following an investigation, Beacon has advised its customers to assume that all data stored within the system may have been downloaded by an unauthorised third party.

The information we hold within Beacon is limited to the details required to administer your membership and support our relationship with you. This includes your name, postal address, email address and telephone number. It does not include bank account details or payment card information, as these are not stored in the database.

At the moment, we have no evidence that anyone’s information has been misused. However, we want members to be aware that you may receive emails, phone calls or messages claiming to be from the Norfolk Ornithologists’ Association or Holme Bird Observatory. Please be cautious if anyone asks for money, personal information or asks you to click on links or open attachments.

We take the security of your personal information extremely seriously. Although this incident originated within Beacon’s systems, we have carried out our own review of the information we hold, followed Beacon’s security guidance, and reported the incident to the Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO).

We are sorry for any concern this may cause and will keep you updated if we learn anything further.

Kind regards,

Steve Newman
Chairman
Norfolk Ornithologists’ Association