Australia’s health system prime target for hackers, minister says

The hacking of Optus and Medibank were a factor in the decision by international leaders to pick Canberra to lead the talks. PHOTO: AFP

CANBERRA – Australia’s hospitals and healthcare system are at high risk from cyber attackers targeting citizens’ personal data, the Home Affairs Minister said, adding that the country needs to step up its efforts to combat hacking attempts.

Speaking ahead of an international cyber security meeting due to be held in Australia within months, Ms Clare O’Neil told Bloomberg News that while protecting citizens’ data is a “core national issue” for the new Labor government, more work needs to be done to end the perception of Australia as a “soft target”.

“The question is, are we tackling the cyber security threat with an energy level commensurate to which we’re being attacked? And I would say that we’re not there at the moment,” she said in an interview late last week. 

Australia will host an international ransomware task force in early 2023 to bring together countries such as the United States, Britain and Germany to tackle the growing threat to cyber security.

The meeting comes after several hacks of major Australian companies in recent months.

These included communications giant Optus and medical insurer Medibank.

Sensitive information on Australian consumers, including medical information and personal details, were leaked online as a result of the two attacks.

Ms O’Neil, who is also Australia’s cyber security minister, said the hacking of Optus and Medibank was a factor in the decision by international leaders to pick Canberra to lead the talks.

“We would be foolish to deny the fact that the exact same attackers – the same actors, same technology – are targeting countries around the world that are just like Australia,” she said.

The minister said she had received an official review into the attacks on Optus and Medibank and would be releasing the findings “relatively soon”. 

Ms O’Neil said the agenda for the meeting is still being decided among the nearly 40 countries attending.

It would work towards standardising cyber security language and exploring ways to share information on ransomware threats.

Ms O’Neil said countries in the Pacific are already reaching out to Australia for greater assistance with their own cyber security.

An attack in the Pacific nation of Vanuatu last November left many of its government’s websites crippled for months.

Australia has also provided cyber security assistance as part of its involvement in Ukraine to help combat the Russian invasion.

Ms O’Neil said there is a “really interesting, important role for Australia” to play in international cyber security going forward, but added it is a fight that never ends.

“If we ever have a cyber security minister in Australia that gives the tick and says ‘We’re right’, then they’re just dreaming,” she said. BLOOMBERG

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