Cyber Incident Victim: Black History Month
Date:
Oct 2018
Location:
United Kingdom
Summary
The UK Black History Month website experienced repeated cyberattacks during its launch period, described by its editor as a coordinated campaign causing extended downtime that prevented public access to event listings and cultural content during peak traffic. The incidents were characterized as cyber-racism targeting freedom of expression, with the editor linking them to broader societal efforts to suppress minority voices and promote division. An internal investigation traced one attack to a domestic IP address before involving law enforcement, while technical assessments noted the attackers' sophistication in persistently disrupting the widely visited platform.
| CIA Posture | Motives | Tactics, Techniques & Procedures |
|---|---|---|
| Available to members | 2 motives | 1 technique |
| Threat Actors | Type | Location |
|---|---|---|
| 0 actors | Available to members | Available to members |
Description
The Black History Month UK website experienced two cyberattacks within a 24-hour period beginning on October 1, 2018, coinciding with the start of Black History Month. The first attack occurred at 8:45 AM on Monday, temporarily disabling the platform that hosted event listings and educational resources about Black history and culture. After restoring service, the website was targeted again the following day within minutes of returning online. Editor Patrick Vernon characterized both incidents as part of a "massive orchestrated campaign" designed to make the site's content unavailable during its peak traffic period, when it typically received millions of daily visits. Technical analysis traced the origin of the initial attack to an IP address located in Doncaster, South Yorkshire. Vernon's organization initiated an internal investigation and planned to involve law enforcement authorities.
The attacks prevented public access to event information at a time when the website was trending due to heightened interest following the Windrush scandal, which had recently increased engagement with Black history content. Vernon described the incident as "cyber-racism," framing it as a deliberate suppression of Black voices and an attack on freedom of expression during a culturally significant period. Operational impacts included complete downtime for all websites operated by Vernon's company, disrupting their primary communication channel. Public reactions included supportive messages from figures like Luton Labour councillor Jacqui Burnett, who emphasized resilience against hate-driven actions. The website's Twitter account acknowledged the attackers' technical sophistication while attempting to restore services, noting uncertainty about future vulnerabilities. Vernon contextualized the incident within broader patterns of racial discrimination, stating it represented a new frontline in combating inequality through digital means.