Rio Tinto (ASX:RIO) latest potential victim in cyber attack spree, IPH (ASX:IPH) systems "back to normal"


  • IPH (IPH) tells investors it is transitioning back to “normal operating procedures” following a cyber attack last week
  • Since detecting unauthorised access to its IT systems, IPH has established new network infrastructure and key system functionality had been restored
  • Under the advice of cyber security experts, the company has tightened security, and an investigation into the extent and nature of the attack continues
  • Latitude Financial (LFS) reported a cyber attack at the same time as IPH, and reports are emerging that Rio Tinto (RIO) may be the latest victim of a data breach
  • IPH shares are down 1.3 per cent and trading at $7.41, Latitude shares are trading at $1.20, and Rio shares are up 0.1 per cent trading at $114.30 at 1:25 pm AEDT

IPH (IPH) has told investors it is transitioning back to “normal operating procedures” following a cyber attack last week.

The company detected unauthorised access to its IT systems, which included document management systems of its head office and two of its Australian member firms.

IPH isolated and removed the compromised systems from its network. Since then, the company said it had established new network infrastructure and key system functionality had been restored.

Security was also tightened under the advice of cyber security experts, including the addition of preventative and detective controls.

IPH said the new systems were in use and the affected teams were transitioning back to normal operations while all other IPH member firms continued to operate as normal.

An investigation into the extent and nature of the cyber attack is continuing and is expected to span a number of weeks.

As IPH announced its cyber attack, Latitude Financial (LFS) disclosed it was also a victim of a data breach.

Following on from initial reports, Latitude on Tuesday said a review found the extent of the information theft was larger than originally thought, but no more data had left its systems since informing the market of the attack.

Now, it appears the world’s second-largest metals and mining company, Rio Tinto (RIO), may be the latest victim of cyber criminality. Reuters reported last night that a cybercriminal group had threatened to release staff information it claims to have obtained through a third-party app used by Rio.

This information comes from a staff message passed on to Reuters. Rio is yet to confirm any cyber attack.

At the time of publishing, it is also unclear whether the cybercriminal group actually holds any past or present staff records.

IPH shares were down 1.3 per cent and trading at $7.41, Latitude shares were trading at $1.20, and Rio shares were up 0.1 per cent trading at $114.30 at 1:25 pm AEDT.


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