Some Absa customers’ data could have been compromised in a leak by a bank employee.
Absa reports that an employee has unlawfully made selected customer data available to a some external parties.
According to a statement from the bank, the leaked data relates to a small portion of Absa South Africa’s customer base, although investigations continue.
Once it discovered the leak, Absa secured High Court orders that enabled search and seizure operations at various premises and secured all devices containing the data. The data on these devices was subsequently destroyed.
“Absa has enhanced the monitoring of customer accounts that have been affected to date, and are contacting customers directly,” according to the statement.
Absa has brought criminal charges against the employee and, internally, the required consequence management has been undertaken, it adds.
“Absa may take further action in relation to the recipients of the data once the full scope of the leak is identified and all investigations are completed.”
The bank says it has put in place additional control measures to minimise the risk of reoccurrence in future.