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MPS SecBlog: Week in Review - 17 May 2024

Writer's picture: Montane PS StaffMontane PS Staff

NCSC warns of ‘large-scale ransomware data breach incident’ at Australian healthcare org


The national cyber security coordinator, Lieutenant General Michelle McGuinness, has released a statement warning of a major ransomware attack and data breach involving an unnamed Australian healthcare provider. Australia’s National Cyber Security Coordinator (NCSC) has said it is working on a “whole-of-government response to this incident”.


 

 

Optus denies claims of ‘cloaking’ Deloitte cyber attack report findings


Last year, during a class action filed by Slater & Gordon in the Federal Court, the telco said it would not be making a Deloitte report on the cyber attack public or available to requesting parties, saying the details are confidential and claiming legal professional privilege over the document. Optus has denied claims it attempted to “cloak” details of its 2022 cyber attack from the courts after it pushed to keep a report on the incident outside of court proceedings.



 

Digital literacy is a national security asset


Coordinated disinformation now pervades Australia as authoritarian tactics are used in social and political realms. Government responses lag behind the scale of the issue, meaning urgent implementation of well-funded public disinformation literacy campaigns and support for fact-checking bodies are essential. With public awareness crucial in safeguarding against online manipulation and radicalization, education reforms must consider digital media literacy from an early age, alongside efforts to bolster critical thinking and immediate fact-checking responses to combat disinformation.


 

 

Climate disruption deserves more than a cameo role in security analysis


Climate risks can set off unpredictable chains of events, needing a systems approach to understand them. Despite global recognition of climate as a major threat, Australia's government lacks a comprehensive strategy to assess and manage these risks. Urgent action is needed to rethink risk assessment, considering worst-case scenarios and embracing complex analysis, yet the government remains unprepared, risking severe consequences for security and wellbeing.


 

 

Avast Report Highlights Rise of Social Engineering Threats


According to the latest Avast Threat Report, scams, phishing, and malvertising make up most individual cyber threats, particularly on mobile devices and desktops. These threats often use advanced tactics like deepfake technology and hijacked social channels, with YouTube being a significant platform. Cybercriminals exploit YouTube through various tactics, such as phishing campaigns targeting creators and compromised video descriptions, to distribute malware and conduct scams, taking advantage of unsuspecting users seeking free services.


 

 

AFP must explain deal allowing Chinese ‘secret police’ to conduct operations in Australia, Coalition says


The Coalition wants the AFP to explain why they renewed a deal with China's ministry of public security despite concerns about their activities in Australia. The opposition found seven active agreements between the AFP and Chinese agencies, some renewed just last month. Reports suggest Chinese police were allowed to question an Australian resident in Australia and then took her back to China against protocol, raising serious concerns about the AFP's cooperation with Chinese authorities.



 

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