Australian Patient Data Breach, 05 October 2023

Personal data of almost 200 patients exposed in hack of Melbourne hospital staff member’s email

Worker sent details about the patients to their personal email account, which was later hacked.

Source: Cybercriminals access patient information at Melbourne’s Royal Women’s Hospital | 7News

View more incidents from Medical and Health Care sector and incidents from Victoria.

The private details of almost 200 patients being treated at a major Melbourne hospital may have been accessed by online criminals.

On Thursday, the Royal Women’s Hospital notified 192 patients their data might have been compromised.

The hospital says it has not been hit by a cyberattack and the breach was sparked by a worker who sent details about the patients to their personal email account in a bid to co-ordinate appointments and treatment.

A forensic investigation was conducted by cyber security experts and the majority of the affected patients were notified on Thursday morning.

The remainder will be notified by registered mail.