Australia's Latitude takes systems offline, Federal Police investigate cyberattack (updated)

Latitude group

20/03/2023 02:35

(Adds details of cyberattack and background)
       March 20 (Reuters) - Australian fintech firm Latitude
Group Holdings Ltd  LFS.AX  said on Monday it had taken its
platforms offline as the cyberattack detected last week remained
active, adding the Federal Police was investigating the
incident.
    Latitude, which provides consumer finance services to
retailers Harvey Norman  HVN.AX  and JB Hi-Fi  JBH.AX , said the
attack appeared "well-organised" and that it would resume
services "gradually over the coming days".
    Last week, the firm said personal information, mostly
drivers' licence copies or licence numbers, of about 330,000
customers and applicants was stolen.
    Several Australian firms have reported cyberattacks over the
past few months, and experts say this is due to an understaffed
cybersecurity industry in the country.
    Latitude said the Australian Federal Police and the
Australian Cyber Security Centre were looking into the attack. 
    Latitude shares have not traded since March 15, a day before
the company first disclosed the cyberattack.

 (Reporting by Harshita Swaminathan and Himanshi Akhand in
Bengaluru; Editing by Subhranshu Sahu)
 ((Harshita.Swaminathan@thomsonreuters.com;
Himanshi.Akhand@thomsonreuters.com))