Ransomware hackers hit Australian defense communications platform

(Reuters) — Hackers have targeted a communications platform used by Australian military personnel and defense staff with a ransomware attack, authorities said Monday, as the country battles a recent spike in cyberattacks across businesses.

The ForceNet service, one of the external providers that the defense department contracts with to run one of its websites, has come under attack but so far no data has been compromised, Assistant Minister For Defence Matt Thistlethwaite said.

“I want to stress that this isn't an attack or a breach on defense (technology) systems and entities,” Mr. Thistlethwaite told ABC Radio. “At this stage, there is no evidence that the data set has been breached, that's the data that this company holds on behalf of defense.”