The student’s data network at the Australian National University or ANU was recently attacked by hackers who depicted substantial expertise.
ANU’s fraternity was shocked by the hackers’ high prowess even security experts were marvelled.
According to Brian Schmidt, ANU’s vice-chancellor, the hacking could be likened to a diamond heist.
ANU’s hacked by experts
It is speculated that the hackers comprised of between five (5) and fifteen (15) people who worked tirelessly to penetrate the ANU’s student data system. It is believed that they worked for a couple of months on this damaging mission.
Prof Schmidt asserted that the hackers dismantled their operations so perfectly that their tracks were undetected for nearly six weeks after penetrating the system.
He, therefore, described the hack as state-of-the-art as it was orchestrated by persons who were on top of their game.
ANU’s email network attacked
The hackers were able to penetrate the ANU system by sending an email containing a virus to a staff member of the university.
The level of sophistication was so intensive that the staff member was only required to preview the email, other than opening it or clicking a link.
Prof Schmidt asserted that up to date, no evidence has been availed about personal data being misused. Nevertheless, the situation was being continuously monitored.
Some of the university sectors hit by the attack included student administration, financial management, and human resources.
ANU has been making substantial efforts to beef up cybersecurity so that future attacks can be deterred. Moreover, reasonable emphases have been laid on training.
On the other hand, in a current visit to India, Fiona Docherty, vice president of external affairs at Sydney’s University of New South Wales (UNSW), mapped out education overdrive plans for Indian students at this institution.
Notably, potential learners and parents had the opportunity to interact with the teaching staff as well as get first-hand information about educational opportunities, visa procedures, admissions, and recruitment chances.
