International Financial Body Duped Into Releasing Member Details

The Chartered Institute for Securities and Investment suffered a phishing attack that resulted in the leak of personal information on tens of thousands of professionals.

CISI chief executive Simon Culhane said the Institute fell victim to a "devious confidence trick" on an unsuspecting member of the support team. 

The breach exposed every member’s name, email address and membership level.

"We believe this fraud was an isolated incident and I can assure you that we are taking immediate steps to increase our security and prevent such an incident recurring," Culhane said. "We are also reviewing our training and will be informing the Information Commission of this incident." 

An outgrowth of the London Stock Exchange, the professional body has more than 40,000 members in 110 countries.

According to the Register, Culhane told members, "I would like to reassure you that this is not a breach of our IT system.”