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Hackers claim to have stolen half a terabyte of data, including client details and tax returns.
NSW-based financial services firm Skeggs Goldstien has confirmed it is investigating a cyber security incident after the company was listed on a ransomware leak site overnight.
The Qilin ransomware gang shared details of the incident in a 12 June post where the hackers claimed to have stolen 500 gigabytes of data.
To prove the hack, Qilin posted several documents, including a signed confidentiality agreement, a completed client questionnaire, and a statement of advice.
“Skeggs Goldstien can confirm that it is aware of the claims by Qilin. Skeggs has been working closely with cyber security experts in undertaking a comprehensive investigation into the incident, which remains ongoing,” a Skeggs Goldstien spokesperson told Cyber Daily.
“We have notified the Office of the Australian Information Commissioner (OAIC) and the Australian Cyber Security Centre (ACSC) and have been communicating directly with our clients in this regard with any relevant information.”
Qilin has said it is planning to publish the full dataset on the dark web on 24 June.
The Qilin operation is likely based in eastern Europe, and its members have been observed conversing in Russian on various hacking forums. It was first observed in August 2022 and has since then claimed 525 victims, making it the third-most active ransomware group as of publishing.
Qilin’s most recent Australian victim was the office and stationery supplier Office National, which was listed by the hackers on 30 May. Other recent Australian victims include MKA Accountants, freight forwarder Globelink International, and not-for-profit community support service Meli.
Skeggs Goldstien has two offices in NSW, in Chatswood and Bella Vista, and offers tax and accounting services, wealth management and business advice, and estate and retirement planning.
David Hollingworth has been writing about technology for over 20 years, and has worked for a range of print and online titles in his career. He is enjoying getting to grips with cyber security, especially when it lets him talk about Lego.
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