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A dramatic increase in reported data breaches in the first half of 2024 has prompted AUCyber’s Peter Maloney to call for more action on the cyber security front.
Dramatic figures released by the Office of the Australian Information Commissioner (OAIC) have prompted AUCyber CEO Peter Maloney to call upon healthcare providers and the government to do more to protect sensitive patient data.
The OAIC figures revealed a 9 per cent increase in reported data breaches over the first six months of 2024, with the commissioner fielding 527 data breach notifications.
Alarmingly, cyber security issues were responsible for 38 per cent of total breaches.
The same period also saw the largest single data breach ever recorded under the Notifiable Data Breach scheme, which the OAIC particularly called out – the May MediSecure breach that saw the prescription data of more than 12 million Australians leaked for sale online.
“Our research shows that 71 per cent of Australians believe safeguarding healthcare data is primarily the responsibility of the federal government and healthcare institutions,” Maloney (pictured) said in a statement.
AUCyber’s 2024 Cyber Security Healthcare Report, which polled 1,000 Australians aged 18 and over in June, also found that 81 per cent of Australians were concerned about the security of their health data.
“The stakes are high, and it is crucial for these entities to act decisively to protect personal information,” Maloney said.
“Healthcare providers must bolster their defences and adopt comprehensive measures to safeguard against cyber threats.
“Protecting sensitive health information is not just a regulatory obligation but a crucial element of maintaining public trust.”
David Hollingworth has been writing about technology for over 20 years, and has worked for a range of print and online titles in his career. He is enjoying getting to grips with cyber security, especially when it lets him talk about Lego.
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