November 2017 – Cyber Law Watch

Uber hack – don’t tell anyone!

Nov 23 2017

It’s been revealed that Uber’s database has been hacked, with the personal information of more than 57 million users and drivers worldwide compromised. That’s a big number, but we are becoming increasingly numb to this kind of revelation, with all the cyber-leaks now making the news. What was the more astounding aspect of this particular incident is the fact it has taken Uber over a year to reveal the security breach – with the attack taking place in October 2016. Read More

Do you have a weak link in your supply chain?

Nov 21 2017

By Cameron Abbott and Keely O’Dowd

Nausicaa Delfas, Executive Director and Chief Operating Officer at the Financial Conduct Authority (UK) recently presented a speech at the Cyber Security Summit and Expo 2017 in London.

During her speech, Ms Delfas cited an issue that often comes up in her conversations with firms, business people or leaders – how to manage risk that ‘lies beneath the surface’.

A New Type of Cyberattack: AI-Powered Cyberattacks

Nov 17 2017

By Cameron Abbott and Harry Crawford

Researchers are warning that AI threatens to increase the sophistication and effectiveness of cyberattacks, according to a recent blog post by the Wall Street Journal.

The Essential Eight: Strategies for Security for Commonwealth Government Agencies

Nov 16 2017

By Cameron Abbott, Keely O’Dowd and Olivia Coburn

The Federal Parliament’s Joint Committee of Public Accounts and Audit, tasked with inquiring into the cyber resilience of certain Commonwealth entities has recommended that all such entities adopt a cyber security mitigation strategy called the Essential Eight. The Committee made this recommendation in its Report 467: Cybersecurity Compliance Inquiry based on Auditor-General’s report 42 (2016-17) (Report). Tarantino’s Hateful Eight is perhaps a little more convoluted than these simple touchstones of good practice. The Essential Eight are good reading for all enterprises, not just government agencies.

Impact of Cyberattack on Merck was $135 million

Nov 03 2017

By Cameron Abbott and Olivia Coburn

Drug and vaccine manufacturer Merck & Co Inc has quantified the impact of a cyberattack on its revenue at US$135 million. The company disclosed the figure in its third quarter earnings report.

The cyberattack occurred in June and forced Merck to halt production of its drugs.

Australian Government Contractor Data Breach

Nov 02 2017

By Cameron Abbott, Allison Wallace and Olivia Coburn

The personal details of almost 50,000 Australians have been published online by a third party government contractor, who is yet to be identified. And I guess you would feel a little shy about owning up to this one!

Archive:November 2017