Warning on data breach

Job applicants told to be cautious

STATE Government and UTAS job applicants have been warned to protect their personal information following a data security breach of erecruitment platform PageUp.

Both Tasmanian organisations have suspended use of their jobs websites and are working on alternatives while the multinational investigates whether private information was compromised.

The breach affected a host of businesses, including Coles, Telstra, NAB, the Commonwealth Bank and Jetstar.

A Sydney law firm is flagging a class action against PageUp, and calling for those affected to contact them.

Tasmania’s top public servant, Department of Premier and Cabinet secretary Jenny Gale, said any job applicant who had created an account through the Government’s jobs website should exercise vigilance.

“We recommend that anyone who has created a PageUp account to submit an application via the jobs website be vigilant about unusual activity concerning their personal information,” Ms Gale said.

State Government recruitment remains in limbo following the breach and Ms Gale said alternative ways of advertising positions and accepting applications were being explored.

“We will have an alternative solution up and running as soon as possible to ensure that key vacancies can be filled,” Ms Gale said.

Positions that remained open when the Government cut its PageUp connection will be readvertised once an alternative platform is in place. Those processed before June 6 will continue to progress.

Hobart branch executive of the Australian Information Security Association Gareth Willis said government and businesses were slowly improving their protections.

“The Tasmanian Government and private business in Tasmania, generally speaking, are at the very beginning of their cyber security journey,” Mr Willis said.

Centennial Lawyers, who filed a suit against the NSW Ambulance Service last year after the personal records of more than 100 employees were allegedly accessed by a contractor, said it was prepared to represent those hit by PageUp’s breach.

“Employers owe a duty to keep highly personal information confidential, not only of their workers but also those that are applying for work,” solicitor George Newhouse said.

Advice for those who may have been affected is available at www.oaic.gov.au.