Security News > 2022 > September > Optus breach victims will get "supercharged" fraud protection
The Australian Federal Police announced today the launch of Operation Guardian to ensure that more than 10,000 customers who had their info leaked in the Optus data breach will get priority protection against fraud attempts.
Throughout Operation Guardian, JPC3 members can use full and collective legislative powers and investigative and intelligence capabilities of all Australian policing jurisdictions to help boost the breach victims' protection against fraudsters.
"The AFP and state and territory police have set up Operation Guardian to supercharge the protection of more than 10,000 customers whose identification credentials have been unlawfully released online under the Optus data breach," the AFP said.
Optus disclosed the security breach on September 22, saying that an unknown attacker might have gained access to some of its customers' sensitive personal information.
Today's announcement comes after the hacker who claimed to have breached Optus and stole the data of 11 million customers has withdrawn their extortion demands after landing in law enforcement crosshairs.
The attacker's decision was likely forced by the AFP announcing the launch of Operation Hurricane to identify the threat actors behind the Optus breach and the extortion demand.