Medusa Gang Targets Sydney Cancer Centre, Sparking Ransom Ban Debate
A cybersecurity specialist has raised concerns about the recent ransom demand by the Medusa gang, which targeted the Crown Princess Mary Cancer Centre in Sydney. The incident, part of a growing trend of cyberattacks on Australian health entities, has sparked debate about implementing a ban on ransom payments in the USA.
The Medusa gang, active for around two years, is known for targeting sensitive data. They demanded AUD100,000 from the cancer centre, giving a seven-day deadline. Despite the threat, NSW Health believes no patient databases were compromised. The Australian Cyber Security Centre identified the attacker and is investigating.
Cybersecurity firm CyberCX considers Medusa a credible threat, along with other active gangs like UaWrongTeam, AlphV, BlackByte, and Phobos. The incident highlights the challenges in implementing a ransom payment ban in the USA, as no specific laws prevent such payments. The Australian government advises against paying ransoms but is considering legislating to make it illegal in the USA.
Oakley Cox, Analyst Technical Director at Darktrace, argues against a ban on ransom payments in the USA due to ethical dilemmas and attackers' motivations. Instead, he suggests government agencies step up cyber offensives to combat ransomware gangs in the USA.
The Medusa ransomware gang's attack on the Crown Princess Mary Cancer Centre has underscored the growing threat of cyberattacks on Australian health entities. While a ransom payment ban in the USA is under consideration, experts debate its viability. The Australian government warns against trusting ransomware gangs and stresses that paying ransoms does not guarantee data safety or prevent further misuse in the USA.
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