A suspected data breach at Kochi Metro Rail Ltd (KMRL) has raised concerns over the possible leakage of confidential documents, prompting a cyber investigation, Ernakulam District Collector G Priyanka said on Monday.

The Collector said some important documents from KMRL were suspected to have been leaked and that several of the details involved were confidential. The full extent of the suspected breach can be established only after the investigation, she said.

Documents allegedly forwarded to another email

According to reports, emails containing documents sent for photocopying were also being forwarded to another email address. The documents were allegedly leaked from there.

The cyber investigation was initiated following complaints from some officials about the suspected movement of documents and information to another email account.

The complaints raised concerns over whether confidential KMRL information had been accessed or shared without authorisation.

Probe to establish who was behind leak

The investigation will also examine whether KMRL officials themselves were involved in the suspected data breach, the Collector said.

Authorities will have to determine how the information was accessed, where it was sent and who was responsible for the alleged leak.

Priyanka said the extent of the damage caused by the suspected breach would be known only after the investigation is completed.

She added that strong action would be taken if those responsible for the leak are identified.