Library patrons in some of Sydney’s richest neighbourhoods may have had their personal information and partial credit card details stolen in a pre-Christmas cybersecurity breach. The library systems breach, encompassing affluent harborside neighborhoods like Double Bay and Point Piper, was discovered on December 15th.
Cybersecurity breach
The council confirmed that hackers may have accessed library users’ names, contact details, encrypted passwords, and partial credit card information through a software system used for library functions.
The affected libraries are located in the suburbs of Double Bay, Watsons Bay, and Paddington. Woollahra Council has not confirmed how many residents were impacted.
Investigations underway
Council is working with cybersecurity agencies to investigate the incident and has implemented fixes to secure the compromised system. They have begun notifying affected library patrons about the potential breach.
GM Craig Swift-McNair apologised for the attack, emphasising that the council takes privacy and data protection seriously. He encouraged concerned residents to be vigilant about identity theft and potential scams using their information.
The cyberattack highlights that even affluent communities are vulnerable to emerging cyber threats. Residents of Woollahra Council, including former PM Malcolm Turnbull, may have assumed their suburbs were insulated from such breaches.
This incident underscores the need for vigilance and proper cybersecurity measures among organisations and governments serving Australia’s neighbourhoods. The council stated it is doing everything possible to contain the attack and assist impacted community members.
Published 30-December-2023
