If there is a major breach in cybersecurity, then this can be equal to 12. It has been estimated that 9 millions of Australians may never realize that their data have been stolen as a result of another unsecured ransomware attack on MediSecure, an electronic prescriptions supplier. Reported in April, the breach unveiled 6. Medical records such as patient’s contact details, medicare and concession cards details and other prescriptions between March 2019 to November 2023 were exposed.
The head of the Australian Government Anthony Albanese estimated it as a ‘very significant cyber event’ and stated that the Australian Federal Police act on this case. Even now, the firm, MediSecure, which has since closed shop and is in the administration process, claimed they could not trace everyone affected since the process is cumbersome and expensive. Hence there are some Australians who may still not know the extent of their limited information.
The attack has posed a big question on the security of their data especially knowing that mediasecure had applied for and was rejected a government bail out to carry on with the business. National Cybersecurity Co-Ordinator Lt Gen Michelle McGuinness advised the public against searching for the leaked data online, stating that the search enhances the work of hoodlums, and may be against the law.
This incident underlines the necessity of effective security and informative dissemination of necessary information with the public. This means that the government together with other players in the market need to promote and improve data protection and particularly personal information in the technological world.