CVS Group's (AIM:CVSG) IT systems have been hit by a cyber attack, which is still affecting some operations at its veterinary practices.
The company said it has informed the Information Commissioner's Office "due to the risk of malicious access to personal information".
While it "intercepted" the unauthorised external access to a number of its IT systems, there was "considerable operational disruption" in the past week at its 500-plus vet practices, CVS said in a statement, after it took its IT systems temporarily offline as part of the response plan.
Cybersecurity consultants have been brought in to investigate and support the response, with IT services now restored across most practices, but forensic analysis remains ongoing.
"Due to the increased levels of security and monitoring, some systems are not working as efficiently as previously and this is likely to result in an ongoing operational impact," CVS said.
Migration to a new cloud-based system is now planned, but this and ongoing security steps are "likely to have an impact on operations for a number of weeks... The forensic analysis is ongoing and we will continue to take all necessary steps to protect our business."
The group will provide a further update in due course.