Optionis cyberattack disrupts contractor payroll and accounting services across subsidiaries

A January 2022 cyber intrusion into the UK-based Optionis group affected its Parasol umbrella-payroll operation and sister businesses SJD Accountancy and Nixon Williams. The attack and precautionary shutdown of client-facing systems left Parasol unable to access timesheets or operate normal payroll, delaying or altering payments to thousands of contractors; accounting customers experienced system-access outages. Optionis subsequently confirmed attackers had extracted some data. Ransomware and Vice Society involvement were reported as suspected or claimed rather than conclusively established by the company.