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Russian criminals accused of stealing Medibank customer data have been labelled "scumbags", with the government vowing to "hack the hackers" through a new task force targeting ransomware gangs.
- About 100 officers will be working on the joint operation between the AFP and Australia's cyber spy agency
- As well as hunting down those behind cyber attacks, they will work to disrupt nefarious activities
- The attorney-general has warned Russian diplomats may be removed from Australia
The federal government says the Australian Federal Police will form a new permanent joint operation with the country's cyber spy agency, the Australian Signals Directorate, to target online criminals.
Cyber Security Minister Clare O'Neil announced the formation of the task force on Saturday with Attorney-General Mark Dreyfus, a day after AFP Commissioner Reece Kershaw confirmed criminals based in Russia had been identified as the culprits behind the Medibank hack.
"This is the formalisation of a partnership, a standing body in the Australian government, which will day in, day out, hunt down the scumbags who are responsible for these malicious crimes against innocent people," Ms O'Neil said.
"Around 100 officers across these two organisations will be a part of this permanent Joint Standing Operation.
"They will show up to work every day with the goal of bringing down these gangs and thugs.
"The joint standing operation will not simply be responding to crimes as they affect Australians, they will be hunting these gangs around the world and disrupting the activities of these people."
Mr Dreyfus has declined to name the group thought responsible for the Medibank attack, but security sources have told the ABC that authorities believe the culprits are the Russian-based syndicate known as "REvil", which takes its name from "ransomware evil".
"I won't be commenting on operational matters like that," Mr Dreyfus said.
What we do know, and we heard from the Australian Federal Police commissioner yesterday, is that it is a very organised criminal gang and that it is located in Russia."
The attorney-general has also warned Russian diplomats may be removed from Australia as tensions with Moscow increase following the Medibank cyber attack.
Relations with Russia have deteriorated since this year's invasion of Ukraine, and Mr Dreyfus says it is possible some diplomats may be expelled from Australia if found to be acting inappropriately.
"The Australian government is looking hard at Russia's diplomatic profile in Australia and all options remain under consideration.
"Our preference is to maintain diplomatic channels but diplomatic profiles must always be consistent with our national interest."
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