Whodunnit? Australia joins the geopolitical name-and-shame cyber games

By Julian Bajkowski

January 25, 2024

cybersecurity
Penny Wong, Richard Marles and Clare O’Neil announcing the cyber sanctions over the Medibank data breach. (AAP Image/Mick Tsikas)

“ASD must have shelled this guy a million different ways. Even his shells have shells. Absolutely thrilled to see this from the Australian government/DFAT. They probably know this guy better than he knows himself at this point.”

That was the Twitter response of Australia’s foremost independent chronicler of grey, dark grey and just black cyber operations and realpolitik, Patrick Gray, of the deep sec-tech podcast Risky Business (guests by invitation only), over the sanctioning of Aleksandr Gennadievich Ermakov.

The Russian is an allegedly key player in the REvil ransomware and cybercrime crew officially blamed for the epic Medibank hack, exfiltration and data spill of 10 million sensitive customer records.

Subscribe for unlimited access

A Mandarin Premium subscription gives you access to all articles, webinars, discounted early-bird event invites and more.

INTRO OFFER - 40% OFF

ANNUAL $440$264

Save 40% on premium access for new accounts.
Just $22/month for your first year.
Renews at $440/year until cancelled.

MONTHLY $44

Unlimited access for just $10 per week. Cancel anytime.

About the author

Any feedback or news tips? Here’s where to contact the relevant team.

The Mandarin Premium

Try Mandarin Premium for $4 a week.

Access all the in-depth briefings. New subscribers only.

Get Premium Today