CPD Webinar, ABDO Data Breach, FODO News

6 August 2023

We have 3 items for you today:

1. 1. CPD Webinar – Wednesday 2nd August 
      OCL Vision are running another of their CPD webinars – ‘Smartsight – the latest generation in lenticule extraction for correcting myopia, astigmatism and presbyopia’ – on Wednesday 2 August from 6:30pm to 7:30pm.

      They advise: “The webinar will be led by Mr Allon Barsam, a director and founder of OCL Vision, specialising in corneal transplant, cataract, laser eye surgery and lens. Target groups: 1 CPD Point O, DO”

      The registration form can be found HERE.

1. ABDO Data Breach
   
   A message from Alistair Bridge, ABDO Chief Executive, states:

   “I am very sorry to tell you that ABDO has experienced a cyber attack and that this has led to a data breach. We took immediate steps to prevent any further access to our systems and to investigate what data had been accessed.

   Unfortunately, our investigation showed that the people responsible for the attack are likely to have gained access to the following information about members:

   • Name
   • Date of birth
   • Address
   • Email address
   • Ethnicity (if disclosed)
   • Sexuality (if disclosed)
   • Gender (if disclosed)
   • For members who pay for their membership by direct debit, bank account number and sort code

   For members who pay for their membership by credit or debit card, I can assure you that your card details have not been accessed.

   I am very sorry that this data breach has happened and I know you will be concerned about how your data might be used. We will therefore do everything we can to answer your questions and advise on the action you should now take.

   We have set out HERE the answers to the questions you are likely to have and if there is any further information that you need, please email our membership team membership@abdo.org.uk.

   This cyber attack is deeply regrettable and while we had stringent security measures in place, we have found that these measures were insufficient to deal with this particular attack.

   We have reported the matter to the Information Commissioners Office and the National Cyber Security Centre and have taken advice from a cyber security expert to ensure that our systems are as secure as possible in future.

   Once again, I am very sorry for this breach of your data and for the concern and inconvenience this will cause.”

   ABDO have also issued an update on this issue, HERE.

   Useful websites:

   MSE advice on checking your credit file

   Cyber Aware

   NCSC phishing advice

   ICO

2. FODO News
   
   Can be found HERE, including BBC highlights the wonder of glasses, Teething problems post NHS reforms and OFNC update on NHS performers list regulations. Their update from 21st July is HERE, including GOC workforce survey, talking assistive technology and Study identifies how diabetes slows healing in the eye.

Kind regards

Herts LOC