Major cyber security incident confirmed at leading WA medical research group, Harry Perkins Institute – ABC News

The Harry Perkins Institute of Medical Research in Perth is investigating a major cyber security incident.

The institute confirmed it had identified a “cyber incident impacting our internal servers”.

But a spokesperson for the institute would not comment to the ABC on a report that a ransomware “gang” had stolen data and was demanding $500,000.

In a statement, the institute’s spokesperson said it had immediately engaged experts and advisers in cyber security to “guide our response” and “re-establish secure network access to our facilities”.

The institute was taking steps to work with law enforcement and privacy regulators.

The nature and the extent of the data that had been affected had not yet been determined, the statement said.

“The safety and privacy of our employees, researchers, tenants and supporters is our first priority.”

The spokesperson said more should be known in the coming days.

Loading