A hacker broke into the database that holds basically every identifying detail on every person connected to Denmark, living, dead, or long since moved away. Denmark’s digital affairs minister announced it Monday and didn’t soften the language.
The affected database is Denmark’s national population register. It contains names, addresses and CPR numbers, which are similar to Social Security numbers in the US. The registry covers 8.8 million people, even though Denmark has about six million residents, because it also includes people who have died or moved abroad. In total, the database contains around 11 million records.
Christina Egelund, the digital affairs minister, didn’t mince words. She called it “an extremely serious incident,” and said the government is working with every relevant authority to map out how far it actually goes. Translation: they’ve confirmed the break-in, but they genuinely don’t know the full scope yet.
“Together with all the relevant authorities, we are in the process of mapping out the full extent of the incident,” she added.
by Security Affairs – Denmark ’s Population Registry Breached, 8.8 Million Affected
