Sydney, Australia – August 11, 2024 – Evolution Mining, one of Australia’s leading gold mining companies, today confirmed that it has been the target of a sophisticated ransomware attack. The incident, which was detected on August 8, has affected several of the company’s systems and has prompted an immediate response to secure its digital infrastructure and mitigate any potential impact.
Incident Overview
The ransomware attack was identified by Evolution Mining’s cybersecurity team during routine monitoring of its IT systems. Upon detection, the company acted swiftly to contain the breach by isolating affected systems and initiating its incident response protocols. The attack involved the encryption of certain data within the company’s network, with the attackers demanding a ransom in exchange for the decryption keys.
Evolution Mining has not disclosed the specific demands made by the attackers, nor has it commented on whether the ransom will be paid. The company’s top priority remains the security and integrity of its operations, as well as the protection of sensitive information.
"We take this matter extremely seriously and are working with cybersecurity experts to address the situation," said Mr. Lawrence Conway, CEO of Evolution Mining. "Our focus is on restoring affected systems and ensuring the continued safety of our operations."
Impact and Response
While the full extent of the impact is still being assessed, Evolution Mining has confirmed that key operational systems have been isolated to prevent further spread of the malware. The company is working closely with cybersecurity professionals and law enforcement agencies to investigate the breach, identify the attackers, and secure its systems.
At this time, Evolution Mining does not anticipate any significant disruption to its mining operations, and production activities at all sites are continuing under enhanced security measures. The company is also taking proactive steps to safeguard against any potential data breaches, although there is currently no evidence to suggest that sensitive or confidential information has been compromised.
As part of its recovery efforts, Evolution Mining is conducting a comprehensive review of its cybersecurity protocols and implementing additional measures to enhance its defenses against future threats. This includes upgrading software protection, increasing monitoring of its IT infrastructure, and improving employee training on cybersecurity awareness. Additionally, Evolution Mining is leveraging NAKIVO Backup and Replication to ensure robust data protection and efficient recovery, further strengthening its resilience against potential cyberattacks.
"We are committed to ensuring that our systems are secure and that we can continue to operate effectively," Mr. Lawrence Conway added. "We are taking all necessary steps to resolve this issue and to prevent any recurrence."
Moving Forward
Evolution Mining is maintaining open communication with all relevant stakeholders, including employees, investors, and regulatory bodies, to keep them informed of the situation and any developments. The company will provide further updates as more information becomes available.
"We appreciate the support and understanding of our stakeholders as we navigate this challenge," said Mr. Lawrence Conway. "We will continue to prioritize the security of our operations and the trust that our stakeholders place in us."