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An investigation has been launched into a cyber attack that targeted Australian engineering firm Aurecon.
The company, which is an engineering partner of the South Australia government that’s responsible for developing national defence projects and holds sensitive contracts and data, was forced to bring its systems offline last month in response to the attack.
The company has since announced that it is investigating the incident, which became apparent after it detected “suspicious activity” on its systems.
“On Sunday, 6 November, Aurecon identified and acted to contain the incident, implementing our Cyber Security Incident Response Plan, engaging a specialist cyber security firm, and notifying government agencies, the Australian Cyber Security Centre and Cert NZ,” said Aurecon in a statement.
“While the initial incident response resulted in some necessary but unavoidable disruption, Aurecon’s network is now operational.”
With the disruption at an end, Aurecon has launched an investigation into the breach.
According to the company’s statement, “the investigation is seeking to establish the level of any impact on Aurecon’s systems”.
“We understand the urgency of this matter and will continue to keep our clients, government agencies and staff informed of any new information.”
A spokesperson from the SA Transport and Infrastructure Department has revealed that despite Aurecon’s connection to several major state and defence engineering contracts, no government projects had been affected.
Earlier in the year, Aurecon was appointed as the inaugural partner for the Guided Weapons and Explosive Ordnance Enterprise by the Department of Defence.
It has also worked extensively with the Royal Australian Navy in developing the south development project at Osborne shipyard, which is home to Collins Class submarines and where the Australian Hunter Class frigates will be built.
Sophisticated cyber attacks on major Australian corporations have brought the nation’s cyber security into the spotlight, particularly following the major attacks on Optus and Medibank.
Cyber Security Minister Clare O'Neil hopes to make Australia the most cyber secure nation in the world by 2030 and has already launched several initiatives in an attempt to quell the growing cyber threat.
O'Neil established a cyber task force made of 100 people that aims to make Australia a hostile environment for cyber criminals by “hacking the hackers”.
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