Sydney cancer treatment centre caught up in cyber attack

New South Wales authorities are investigating a potential cyber attack at a leading cancer treatment centre in Sydney.

NSW Health confirmed it was alerted of a ransomware threat yesterday involving the Crown Princess Mary Cancer Centre, on the Westmead Health Campus.

It said databases did not appear to have been affected.

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"NSW Health continues to investigate this issue which does not appear to have impacted any NSW Health databases, nor Crown Princess Mary Cancer Centre databases."

"The safety and security of all NSW Health systems remains of highest importance and is continually monitored and safeguarded.

"NSW Health works closely with state and federal Government cyber security agencies to ensure that any cyber event is prevented, detected and responded to in the most appropriate manner."

Earlier the ABC reported a hacker group known as Medusa was claiming to be behind the cyber attack.

They deploy ransomware to steal data from victims before encrypting it and then threatening to publish it unless a ransom is paid.

The Crown Princess Mary Cancer Centre is part of the Sydney West Cancer Network.

It provides fully integrated research, prevention, diagnostic, treatment, and rehabilitation programs for patients and families coping with cancer.

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