Leeds United spearhead response as EFL issue cyber alert after Sheffield Wednesday breach
Leeds United are helping to lead the security response after Sheffield Wednesday and Bristol City fell victim to online hackers, according to the Daily Mail.
The Mail reported in their print edition (26 September, page 70), that United are leading the fightback after cyber attacks which have seen emails and personal data hacked at the two Championship clubs.
Graham Peck, the information security manager at Elland Road, is now reportedly drawing up a list of cyber security contacts shared between clubs, to make sure any breaches can be dealt with instantly.
Wednesday and Bristol City both reported breaches following “suspicious” emails being sent from top club officials’ accounts, while Charlton Athletic and Aston Villa have also been hit with data breaches.
Leeds United stepping up to prevent EFL cyber-security breaches
Enlisting Peck to help prevent hacking and data breaches for the entire EFL shows that United aren’t quite the maligned institution that they’ve sometimes been pitched as down the years.
However, given the club’s decade-and-a-half in the doldrums post-2004, it is somewhat surprising to see that their information security manager is playing such a key role in addressing these issues.
Given Aston Villa, a Premier League and Champions League club, have also recorded a breach in recent months, you’d expect the EFL to call on a top-flight club’s expertise to deal with these attacks.
With the current problem affecting three long-time EFL clubs though, it’s less surprising to see Peck and Leeds’ help being called on, given United’s stature and financial power compared to other sides.
The 49ers Enterprises have recently drawn up plans to make Elland Road a best-in-class stadium once again, but when it comes to information security, it appears the Whites are already leading the way.
In other Leeds United news, Jim White shared his thoughts on 49ers Enterprises’ “massive” plans at Elland Road live on TalkSPORT.
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