Federal Police on the case of Latitude cyberattack

(Source: Bigstock)

Australian fintech firm Latitude Group said it had taken its platforms offline as the cyberattack detected last week remained active, adding the Federal Police is investigating the incident.

Latitude, which provides consumer finance services to retailers Harvey Norman and JB Hi-Fi, said the attack appeared “well-organised” and that it would resume services “gradually over the coming days”.

Last week, the firm said personal information, mostly drivers’ licence copies or licence numbers, of about 330,000 customers and applicants was stolen.

Several Australian firms have reported cyberattacks over the past few months, and experts say this is due to an understaffed cybersecurity industry in the country.

Latitude said the Australian Federal Police and the Australian Cyber Security Centre were looking into the attack.

Latitude shares have not traded since March 15, a day before the company first disclosed the cyberattack.

How to reassure online shoppers in the age of hacks and data breaches.

  • Reporting by Harshita Swaminathan and Himanshi Akhand in Bengaluru; Editing by Subhranshu Sahu, of Reuters.

You have 7 articles remaining. Unlock 15 free articles a month, it’s free.