Vodafone staff fired over security breach

Early this week Vodafone Australia became the victim of a serious security breach which reportedly saw customers' personal details published to the internet.

Vodafone Australia has now said that, following an investigation over the incident, a number of staff members have been terminated and the NSW Police contacted.

The firm says it is also reviewing its IT systems security, processes and training.

“We take data security and the storage of our customers’ information extremely seriously,” said Nigel Dews, Chief Executive Officer at Vodafone Hutchison Australia. “We are conducting a thorough investigation of the incident and of our own security systems and processes and have taken immediate action.”

Vodafone also reiterated that customer records are not publicly available or stored on the internet and that credit card details held in its database are securely protected.

“Security can always be improved and the additional measures being implemented as a result of our review will increase security and further limit the risk of people doing the wrong thing,” Dews continued. “Some of the initiatives we had already planned for this year are being brought forward and we will also be conducting an additional independent security review.”

Vodafone says it’s liaising with the Australian Privacy Commissioner and other government bodies and will offer full cooperation to the NSW Police.

You can read what Vodafone New Zealand had to say on the matter here.