Aer Lingus has been hit by a global cyber attack, the company has confirmed. 

MOVEit Transfer is used by many large companies to send sensitive files securely. 

However, last week US company Progress Software revealed hackers had found a way to compromise the software. 

Payroll provider Zellis has since confirmed eight of their clients have been affected and Aer Lingus is among them. 

“It has been confirmed that no financial or bank details relating to Aer Lingus current or former employees were compromised in this incident,” Aer Lingus said in a statement. 

“It has also been confirmed that no phone contact details relating to Aer Lingus current or former employees were compromised.

"The third-party provider has confirmed that the incident has been contained and that they have officially notified the Data Protection Commissioner (DPC) and the National Cyber Security Centre, as has Aer Lingus… All current employees have been impacted and a significant number of former employees have been impacted.

"The affected data consists of; employee number, title, name, date of birth, address line 1, email address, start date and end date of employment, and in the majority of cases, PPS/Social Security numbers."

The Daily Telegraph has linked the hack with a Russian-speaking gang called Clop. 

Main image: Aer Lingus.