Australia Uses New Sanctions Powers Against Russian Hacker Behind Medibank Breach

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Australia Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade

Australia used its new cyber sanctions powers for the first time against a Russian citizen, Aleksandr Ermakov, also known as Alexander Ermakov, GustaveDore, aiiis_ermak, blade_runner or JimJones, in connection with the Medibank Private data breach in 2022.

New sanctions laws were introduced in Australia in late 2021, including a world-leading measure allowing Australian travel bans and asset freezes on those allegedly involved in “significant” cyber-attacks.

The government said police and intelligence agencies had worked with international partners to link Ermakov “to the compromise of the Medibank Private network” in 2022. It said this decision “makes it a criminal offense, punishable by up to 10 years’ imprisonment and heavy fines, to provide assets to Aleksandr Er…