Security News > 2024 > January > Australia imposes cyber sanctions on Russian it says ransomwared health insurer
Australia's government has used the "Significant cyber incidents" sanctions regime it introduced in 2021 for the first time, against a Russian named Aleksandr Gennadievich Ermakov whom authorities have deemed responsible for the 2022 attack on health insurer Medibank Private.
On Tuesday the government went a step further, naming Aleksandr Ermakov as linked to the incident, adding that Australia's Federal Police and sigint agency the Australian Signals Directorate "Continue to pursue other leads."
Australia has slapped Ermakov with its significant cyber incidents sanctions - a scheme launched in 2021 that allows travel bans and financial sanctions on folks felt to be involved in cyber incidents that aim to harm Australia or other nations.
Australia's list of sanctioned individuals gives the accused's full name as Aleksandr Gennadievich Ermakov and states that he's used the handles "Aiiis ermak," "Blade runner," "JimJones," and "GustaveDore."
The name "Aleksandr Ermakov" is also shared: we found a Russian actor, footballer, and handball player with the same name.
Announcing the name of a suspect does, at least, offer some solace for Australians, who since late 2022 have endured several high-profile cyber incidents at major businesses.