A ransomware attack has been launched against a communications platform used by the Department of Defence.
ForceNet, a service used by both civilian and military users and managed by a third party, was the target of hackers.
No information of active-duty or retired military members appears to have been accessed or stolen, according to government sources.
The defence secretary said that the matter was being handled “very seriously” in an email to all staff members.
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In spite of there being no evidence of information theft in the attack that took place earlier this month, Assistant Defence Minister Matt Thistlethwaite said the department was being cautious by alerting every employee.
Defence has suggested its staff change their passwords and use two factor authentication.
In an interview with ABC radio, Thistlethwaite said, “I want to stress this isn’t an attack or breach on defence ICT systems.”
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“It’s on an external provider defence contracts to run one of their websites,” he said.
For military personnel who think they might be impacted, cyber help has been made available.
To safeguard employees, Defense has partnered with IDCARE, a provider of identity and cyber support.
A comment from the department has been requested.
With AAP. (Content has been tweaked for length and style.)
Jaw de Guzman is the content producer for Comms Room, a knowledge platform and website aimed at assisting the communications industry and its professionals.
