Australia’s IVF giant Genea revealed a cybersecurity incident that undermined patient services and led to access to potentially sensitive information.
Genea, one of Australia’s three largest IVF providers, has 21 clinics nationwide, confirming the incident In the statement On Wednesday’s website.
Australia’s national broadcaster ABC Report Genea revealed the incident after ABC reporters contacted the company about the cyberattack. ABC said after asking Genea about it with fertility giant Genea that it is a public relations company, Porter Novelli, which specializes in helping companies deal with cyberattacks and data breaches.
When TechCrunch arrived, Lauren Clancy confirmed the incident to TechCrunch on behalf of Genea through Porter Novelli, and said in an emailed statement that the company was “Urgent Investigation” of cybersecurity incidents.
“Once an incident is discovered, we take immediate measures to control the incident and ensure the system,” a spokesperson said. “We are working to ensure that the treatment is minimal to provide patients with treatment.”
Genea confirmed in its public statement that the hacker data behind the cyber attack on “accessing Genea” data refused to disclose what types of data to access when TechCrunch asked.
According to an article on Genea’s Instagram page, Genea told customers on February 13 that it was using a phone line for interruptions before confirming the cyber attack.
According to ABC, the company’s Mygenea app enables patients to track their cycles and view fertility data, but is also offline due to events.
Genea says website It collects health information that patients are highly sensitive; medical, nursing and scientific information; and procedures and tests conducted in Genea or elsewhere. It is not clear whether the patient’s sensitive medical data is accessed or obtained.
Genea’s representative told TechCrunch: “Our investigation is ongoing and if our investigation determines any evidence that their personal information is affected, which is consistent with our legal and regulatory obligations, we will communicate with anyone affected. ”
