Evolution Mining confirms cyberattack amid rising threats

The Australian gold mining company has confirmed it was targeted by a cyberattack last week, joining a growing list of domestic firms hit by similar breaches. The incident comes as Australia continues to grapple with a wave of cyber attacks that have exposed vulnerabilities in the country’s cyber security infrastructure. Although Evolution Mining has stated that the security breach has been contained, it has not provided further details about the extent of the damage or the nature of the attack.

The company has reported the incident to the Australian Cyber Security Centre, which has acknowledged the report but noted that Evolution Mining did not supply much information on the breach. Despite the attack, Evolution Mining assured that its operations would not be materially impacted. The Australian government has recently strengthened its cyber defences by increasing law enforcement funding and mandating the reporting of cyber attacks as part of a broader security overhaul.

Cyber crime has been on the rise in Australia, with reports increasing by nearly 25% in the year leading up to June 2023. The average cost to victims has also surged by 14%. Experts have pointed out that the country’s cyber security industry is under-resourced and may not be fully equipped to handle the growing threat. The increased collaboration between Australia, the US, and Britain under a new defence agreement has also made Australia a more prominent target for cyber attacks.

The attack on Evolution Mining echoes a series of breaches that have affected major Australian companies in recent years, including Optus, Woolworths, Medibank, DP World Australia and the Australian unit of Shell. These incidents have brought attention to the urgent need for stronger cyber defences as Australia continues to face significant digital security challenges.