UCD staff member due in court over accessing student data

Molly O'Reilly

A UCD staff member is due in court today charged in connection with unauthorised access of student personal data.

Gardaí said the man in his 50s was arrested following an inquiry, led by the Garda National Cyber Crime Bureau (GNCCB), which began after a complaint was made in late 2023.

The UCD employee is suspected of involvement in the use of malicious software to facilitate unauthorised access to student data.

Over 100 individuals whose personal data was allegedly accessed have been interviewed by gardaí.

In a statement, gardaí said the investigation concerns “the use of malicious software (malware) facilitating unauthorised access of student personal data” by an employee at a third-level educational institution.

As part of the investigation, gardaí carried out a number of searches in 2024 at both the educational institution and a private residence linked to the suspect.

The arrest followed forensic analysis of devices seized during those searches.