video screenshot for reference only.

 

In a shocking security breach, data including photos, addresses, and names of over 8,000 children from a UK nursery chain has been stolen by hackers. According to reports, the cybercriminals targeted the Kido nursery group and have published some of the stolen information on the dark web, demanding a ransom. London’s Metropolitan Police have confirmed the earlier reports and are conducting an investigation into this ransomware attack.

 

The Metropolitan Police stated they received a report on 25 September about the hack, with the Cyber Crime Unit actively looking into the matter. As of now, no arrests have been made. The hack has sparked outrage, with parents and the cybersecurity community expressing deep concern over the invasion of privacy involving young children.

 

Bryony Wilde, a parent of a child attending a Kido nursery in London, voiced her distress, emphasising that children’s personal details should have no value for exploitation. The National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC) has labelled the incident as “deeply ddistressing”, highlighting the predatory nature of cybercriminals who target vulnerable sectors like nurseries.

 

Jonathon Ellison from the NCSC stressed that such breaches exemplify the egregious acts by hackers seeking financial gain, adding that the NCSC is committed to providing guidance to help protect early years settings from similar attacks. Cybersecurity expert Mantas Sabeckis warned that the stolen data could lead to stalking, harassment, or the targeting of already vulnerable families, underscoring the seriousness of the breach. Kido nursery group, owned and operated by a global group of parents, has yet to comment on the incident. The company prides itself on integrating world-class early years practices across its international schools but now faces a significant challenge maintaining trust amidst this cybersecurity crisis.

 

 

 

Key Takeaways:

 

• Hackers have stolen data about 8,000 children from the Kido nursery group.
• London’s police are in the early stages of investigating this ransomware attack.
• The breach has raised alarms about the security of sensitive data in nurseries.

 

 

  Adapted by ASEAN Now from CNN 2025-09-29

 

 

Starmer's mandatory Digital ID  card would have prevented the hackers working in the UK.