Cybersecurity threats are becoming a big headache for some of the UK’s most well-known organisations.
This year alone, big names like Marks & Spencer and the Co-op have faced attacks from online criminals, disrupting their operations and causing ongoing challenges.
Now, the British Horseracing Authority (BHA) has joined the list of high-profile targets after falling victim to a cyberattack that has shaken the governing body of UK horse racing.
What Happened at the British Horseracing Authority?
The attack on the BHA reportedly took place late last week, and the fallout is still unfolding.
Staff have been instructed not to enter their Southampton office or the central London HQ in Holborn.
Instead, everyone is working remotely while a thorough investigation is underway.
Right now, there’s no clear timeline on when their IT systems will be fully restored and back to normal.
The disruption seems to be limited to BHA’s internal networks and data, but given the sensitive nature of the information they manage, it’s a serious breach.
Racing Events Continue as Planned
Despite the cyberattack, the BHA has reassured the public that horse racing events will not be affected.
Meetings at racecourses are still happening as scheduled, and no cancellations or fixture disruptions are expected for now.
This means fans can still enjoy race days without worry, even as the authority deals with the technical fallout behind the scenes.
A History of High-Profile Sports Cyberattacks
This isn’t the first time a major sports organisation has been targeted by hackers.
The BHA now joins other big names like the International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF) in 2017 and FIFA in 2018, both of which suffered similar attacks.
The fact that such respected bodies in the sports world are being targeted highlights the increasing risks and challenges organisations face in protecting their digital infrastructure.
Marks & Spencer’s Ongoing Struggles After Easter Attack
Marks & Spencer is still dealing with the consequences of a cyberattack that hit them during Easter this year.
It’s a reminder that the threat isn’t going away anytime soon, and businesses across sectors need to stay vigilant.
Official Statement from the BHA
A spokesperson for the British Horseracing Authority said:
“We recently identified and started investigating an IT incident.
We’re working quickly alongside external experts to understand what happened and safely restore our systems.
The delivery of racedays has continued as normal and will continue to do so.
We have kept our colleagues, core industry stakeholders, and law enforcement informed throughout.”