Australian Cyber Aware - As It Was 2605 - May 2026. Aggregated listing of Australian and New Zealand cybersecurity, privacy, and AI risks developments identified during May 2026. It includes cybersecurity incidents, regulatory updates, news stories, audit findings, and broader industry developments relevant to business and government audiences.
Australia’s privacy watchdog has been told to turn over full details of an investigation into American Express that uncovered security and access … [...]
The new training series offers a pathway for IT professionals to strengthen their cyber security skills and better understand cyber criminal … [...]
The NSW Rural Fire Service (RFS) is investigating a cybersecurity incident after a hacker gained access to its information and communications … [...]
Cybercrime declined in Australia last year, but fraud and scams bucked the trend and victims have given up complaining, the Australian Institute of … [...]
Aussie investment firm Generation Life has confirmed that customer data was impacted in a cyber attack it suffered back in April. • Fri, 26 Jun 2026 • … [...]
Accounting firms could be asked to split their lucrative consulting services from their audit functions and individual firm partners could face far … [...]
The NSW Department of Education only began considering essential student data management platforms as “crown jewels” this year, the report finds. • … [...]
Two men have been sacked from Sydney accounting firm Ernst and Young after they allegedly accessed the prime minister's personal banking information. The men, aged 21 and 25, are due [...]
Two Ernst and Young employees have been sacked after Prime Minister Anthony Albanese's personal banking information was allegedly breached while the … [...]
Australia signs a treaty with a Pacific nation to deepen integration and strengthen the collective security of the region. • Mon, 29 Jun 2026 • … [...]
The federal government will strengthen the information-gathering powers of its internet regulator, the eSafety Commissioner, allowing it to compel … [...]
The cybersecurity capability of next-generation frontier artificial intelligence (AI) models is increasing rapidly. Large language models (LLM) … [...]
Artificial intelligence is changing cybersecurity faster than governments and businesses can adapt. In a rare joint statement, the Five Eyes alliance warned that advanced AI models are accelerating cyber threats [...]
There's hope scam text messages could soon be a pest of the past with new anti-scam laws being introduced next week, but some say they don't go far enough to [...]
To further strengthen the security and resilience of critical infrastructure, the Australian Government introduced the Security of Critical … [...]
A former employee of a strata business on the NSW Mid North Coast has been refused bail on more than 400 fraud offences. According to NSW Police, … [...]
The Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) has set out its compliance and enforcement priorities for 2026–27, signalling a focus on … [...]
The Australian Signals Directorate and the Australian Cyber Security Centre say the Essential Eight cyber security framework will be retired within … [...]
Claim 02-Jul-26 AU NSW
Unconfirmed: Qilin Ransomware Strikes Pennant Hills Golf Club
A newly surfaced victim listing naming Pennant Hills Golf Club shows how ransomware operators turn public exposure into pressure, even when the underlying compromise has not been independently established.
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Australian Medical Ransomware Attack, 06 Jun 2025: Victorian based Ascot Vale Health Group targeted by Global ransomware group. Global ransomware group has so far not listed how much data it has allegedly stolen or what kind of data may have been compromised.
Australian Racing Industry Ransomware Attack, 05 Jun 2025: Victorian based RISE Racing confirms Sarcoma ransomware attack. Reports indicate that 1.6GB of sensitive data was stolen, including: Banking details, financial records, participant personal information and operational data related to the racing industry.
Australian Accounting Firm Ransomware Attack, 16 May 2025: Victorian MKA Accountants confirms Qilin ransomware attack. Qilin published 12 documents as part of its leak post, including internal correspondence, financial statements, and insurance information
Australian Cyber Incident – Court Data Breach, 26 March 2025: NSW court website involved in major data breach, 9,000 documents downloaded. Man charged in connection with court document data breach.
Incident – Law Firm Ransomware Attack, 13 March 2025: Prominent Sydney law firm Brydens Lawyers reveals a serious cyber incident in the wake of a February intrusion into its network. More than 600 gigabytes of data – including case, client, and staff data – was stolen in the incident.
NZ Incident – Ransomware Attack, 28 February 2025: DragonForce Ransomware Targets Kiwi Car Dealership Tristram European. The attackers claim to have stolen over 30 gigabytes of sensitive data, including customer information and financial records.
Updated Incident – Medical Data Breach, 19 February 2025: Australian IVF provider Genea in cyber incident. Genea patients frustrated by lack of communication amid data breach.
Incident – University Ransomware Attack, 16 February 2025: Australian National University investigating alleged cyber attack by FSociety ransomware group. No ransom amount was given; however, society is threatening to publish the data within seven days.
NZ Incident – Medical Ransomware Attack, 13 February 2025: KillSec claims ransomware attack on New Zealand based Obex Medical. While the exact details of the breach remain unclear, this latest incident highlights the persistent threat of ransomware groups, particularly those focused on industries like healthcare.
Updated AU Incident – Education Cyber Attack, 04 February 2025: The University of Notre Dame Australia in Western Australia confirms cyber incident. Claims are that 62.3 Gb of data was exfiltrated. Containing employee and student contact data, medical documents, confidential agreements and licenses. Problems with enrolling and accessing class timetables, weeks after a cyber attack
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