Excerpt from Cyberdaily Article, Published on May 06, 2024

In a recent development, Monash Health, a prominent public healthcare provider, has become embroiled in a data breach following a cyberattack on record management firm ZircoDATA by the Black Basta ransomware gang earlier this year. ZircoDATA, known for its secure document storage services catering to 9,000 clients, including Monash Health, disclosed the breach late last week. The breach has exposed sensitive personal data, raising concerns about the security of archived information.

Monash Health confirmed that data from its family violence and sexual assault support units at Monash Medical Centre, Queen Victoria Hospital, and Southern Health, spanning from 1970 to 1993, had been compromised. However, the healthcare provider assured the public that its internal systems remained secure, with only historical data managed by ZircoDATA being affected.

Lieutenant General Michelle McGuinness, the National Cyber Security Coordinator, issued a statement acknowledging the incident and emphasized ZircoDATA’s responsibility to notify affected clients. McGuinness stated that her team had been collaborating with ZircoDATA since mid-March to understand and mitigate the breach’s impacts. The investigation into the extent of the breach is ongoing, with ZircoDATA working to identify all affected parties. McGuinness noted that several government entities had also been impacted, with efforts underway to notify affected individuals.

The Black Basta ransomware gang, responsible for the attack, listed ZircoDATA as a victim in February, claiming to possess a substantial amount of data. Despite the deadline for ransom passing, ZircoDATA has been actively working to resolve the situation and has assured affected parties of their commitment to data protection. As the fallout from the breach continues to unfold, both Monash Health and other impacted entities are grappling with the implications of compromised data, highlighting the ongoing challenges posed by cyber threats in today’s digital landscape.

 

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