Australia has used new international powers for the first time to impose sanctions on a Russian citizen for his alleged role in the 2022 Medibank cyberattack. Image: Ellie Burgin, via Pexels
Australia has used new international powers for the first time to impose sanctions on a Russian citizen for his alleged role in the 2022 Medibank cyberattack.
Russian hacker Aleksandr Ermakov was linked to the attack through an investigation into the incident conducted by the Australian Signals Directorate (ASD) and the Australian Federal Police (AFP).
The cyberattack in question impacted around 9.7 million Australians, who had their private health data and other sensitive information leaked onto the dark web.
The sanctions against Ermakov include a travel ban and targeted financial sanctions which criminalise financial dealings with him, including transactions made with cryptocurrency or ransomware payments.
Violation of the sanctions is punishable by up to 10 years’ jail time.
Foreign Affairs Minister Penny Wong said that the sanctions would send a message to cybercriminals planning to target Australians.
“As you might recall, more than 9 million records of Australians, including names, dates of birth, Medicare numbers and sensitive information was stolen in the 2022 attack and the majority published on the dark web,” said Wong.
“It was an egregious violation, it impacted some of the most vulnerable members of the Australian community.
“The use of these powers sends a clear message – there are costs and consequences for targeting Australia and Australians.
Home Affairs Minister Claire O’Neil also asserted her support for the sanction.
“Medibank, in my view, was the single most devastating cyber attack we have experienced as a nation,” said O’Neil.
“We all went through it. Literally millions of people having personal data about themselves, their family members, taken from them and cruelly placed online for others to see.
“These people are cowards and they’re scumbags.
“The Australian government is saying that when we put our minds to it, we’ll unveil who you are and we’ll make sure you’re accountable.”
AFP Commissioner Reece Kershaw said that Australian authorities would be meeting with Russian law enforcement to discuss how Aleksandr Ermakov would be penalised on the national level.
