Group behind hack revealed

Australia last night was to formally declare a Russian crime gang responsible for the devastating Medibank hacks, with the Prime Minister warning the country also needs to be “held accountable”.

At a press conference in Canberra, Australian Federal Police Commissioner Reece Kershaw confirmed that those responsible were in Russia.

“I will not take any questions because it is a very complex and serious ongoing investigation,” he said.

“This cyber attack is an unacceptable attack on Australia and it deserves a response that matches the malicious and far-reaching consequences that this crime is causing.”

Earlier this week hackers stole sensitive data from Medibank, a health insurance company, and started publishing what they claim to be information about Australian women who had to terminate nonviable pregnancies or had abortions.

Information posted included a spreadsheet with the names and personal details of 303 patients and policyholders.

Kershaw said intelligence pointed to a group of loosely affiliated cyber criminals who are likely responsible for past significant breaches in countries across the world.

While there’s no suggestion that the criminal gang responsible is state sanctioned or approved by Russian President Vladimir Putin, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese warned the country — which he did not name — does need to take some ownership of the crisis.

However, senior government sources have confirmed Albanese instructed the AFP to name Russia.