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Pictures, along with the names and addresses of around 8,000 children from the Kido nursery chain are being used to demand ransom money (PA) Cyberhackers are said to have stolen information about thousands of children from a nursery chain and posted some details on the darknet, it has been reported. Pictures, along with the names and addresses of around 8,000 children from the Kido nursery chain are being used to demand ransom money, according to the BBC. The broadcaster also reported it had been contacted by the hackers, who appear to be called Radiant, and have now published some stolen data including pictures and profiles of 10 children to their darknet website. Information about the children’s parents, carers plus safeguarding notes are in the hands of the hackers, it is alleged. A Metropolitan Police spokesman said: “Met Police received a referral on Thursday following reports of a ransomware attack on a London-based organisation. “Enquiries are ongoing and remain in the early stages within the Met’s Cyber Crime Unit. No arrests have been made.” Bryony Wilde, whose child attends a Kido nursery in London, told the BBC: “They are kids – their personal details shouldn’t be worth anything. “You are probably prepared to go a little bit further to protect children’s privacy and personal details.” She described the children as “completely innocent victims”. The reports of highly sensitive data being stolen in a cyber incident impacting nurseries are deeply distressing.Cyber criminals will target anyone if they think there is money to be made, and going after those who look after children is a particularly egregious act. Jonathon Ellison, the National Cyber Security Centre's national resilience director BBC News said it had challenged the hackers over using children’s data to extort from a nursery, and were told by the criminals that they “weren’t asking for an enormous amount” and they “deserve some compensation for our pentest”. A “pentest” – or penetration test – is the term for when ethical hackers are hired to assess the security of an organisation in a controlled and professional way. Jonathon Ellison, the National Cyber Security Centre’s national resilience director, said: “The reports of highly sensitive data being stolen in a cyber incident impacting nurseries are deeply distressing. “Cyber criminals will target anyone if they think there is money to be made, and going after those who look after children is a particularly egregious act. “The NCSC has bespoke guidance to help early years settings, such as nurseries, protect themselves from attacks, as well as guidance for individuals who are concerned that their data has been affected by a breach.” On its website, Kido, which has locations in London, says: “Our international network of schools in the USA, UK, India and China ensures that we bring best practices in operations, training, curriculum and care to each school.” Kido has been contacted for comment, but a response has not yet been received.