January 23, 2024 at 06:54AM
Australian government sanctions Russian national Aleksandr Ermakov for role in cyber attack compromising 10M Australians’ personal info. Sanctions imposed after linking Ermakov to Medibank health insurer data breach. Sanctions aim to expose and debilitate cyber criminals targeting Australia. Providing assets to Ermakov becomes criminal offence punishable by up to 10 years’ imprisonment. Clear message sent to cyber criminals.
Key takeaways from the meeting notes are as follows:
– A Russian national, Aleksandr Ermakov, has been sanctioned by the Australian government for his involvement in a cyber attack that compromised the personal information of over 10 million Australians.
– The cyber attack involved the release of client data from Medibank, Australia’s largest health insurer, following the company’s refusal to pay a ransom, resulting in the exposure of sensitive information such as HIV diagnoses and drug abuse treatments.
– The Australian government utilized its cyber sanction powers for the first time against Ermakov, following investigations by the Australian Federal Police and intelligence agencies with support from global partners.
– The sanctions imposed are part of Australia’s efforts to expose cyber criminals and disrupt their capability to target Australians in the cyber space.
– Providing assets to Ermakov or dealing with his assets, including through cryptocurrency wallets or ransomware payments, is now a criminal offence punishable by up to 10 years’ imprisonment.
– The sanctions send a clear message to cyber criminals that there are costs and consequences for targeting Australia and Australians.