Australian Cyber Security Centre Hit by Cyber Security Attack

It all started when the Australia Securities Regulator reported that a server that was used to move files, including credit license applications, recently had a data security violation, where possibly some information has been viewed. The ASIC (Australian Securities and Investments Commission) said it became aware of the case on 15 January, but the credit license form(s) or attachments did not seem to have been downloaded, however. 

Furthermore, the ASIC stated that “This incident is related to Accellion software used by ASIC to transfer files and attachments. It involved unauthorized access to a server which contained documents associated with recent Australian credit license applications.” Moreover, the regulator also said that “While the investigation is ongoing, it appears that there is some risk that some limited information may have been viewed by the threat actor. At this time ASIC has not seen evidence that any Australian credit license application forms or any attachments were opened or downloaded.” Accellion’s file transfer program framework is a two-decade-old product but was revised last year after it heard about system vulnerabilities. The same incident occurred with the file-sharing software provided by Accellion based in California. The same software was also used by the New Zealand Central Bank, which suffered a cyber attack earlier this month. 

The server was disabled and there was no abuse of any other tech infrastructure, added the ASIC, “No other ASIC technology infrastructure has been impacted or breached. ASIC is working with Accellion and has notified the relevant agencies as well as impacted parties to respond to and manage the incident.” 

“ASIC’s IT team and cybersecurity advisers engaged by ASIC are undertaking a detailed forensic investigation and working to bring systems back online safely,” says the regulator.