Port Adelaide respond to claims from Russian ransomware group that they have hacked internal IT systems

Port Adelaide is investigating claims that a ransomware group with links to Russia has hacked its internal IT system – but the club says members’ information has not been compromised.

Port Adelaide is investigating hacking claims.

Port Adelaide is investigating claims online that a ransomware group with links to Russia has hacked its internal IT system.

But the Power has stressed that members’ information has not been accessed.

Cuba Ransomware, which has links to Russia, has claimed that it hacked the Power’s website earlier this month and has accessed a range of files including; “financial documents”, “correspondence with bank employees”, “account movements”, “balance sheets” and “tax documents”.

After being made aware of the claims, the Power is investigating whether the alleged hacking has actually occurred following posts on social media and online blogs.

In a statement, the Power said members should not be concerned regarding their personal information being accessed.

“The club is investigating these claims as a priority, but importantly can confirm that membership data is hosted on an external, separate system to our internal IT network,” the Power said.

“Following initial detection of this claim, the club immediately engaged external cyber security experts to facilitate the ongoing investigation.”

Port Adelaide is investigating the hacking claims.

Port Adelaide chief executive Matthew Richardson said the club was waiting on the information from the experts.

“Importantly our member data is stored on an external drive so there is nothing to be worried about in that respect,” he said.

But the Power has recommended that “all our members remain vigilant against the potential risk of receiving phishing or other scam communications” from anyone claiming to be the football club.

Mr Richardson did not divulge whether the club had been issued with any ransom regarding the alleged hacking, saying he would leave that to the experts.

Cuba Ransomware is known for its extensive reach and the group targets industries including retail, finance, logistics, government and manufacturing across North America, Europe, Oceania and Asia.

It began operating in 2019 and in 2022 collected more than US $60 million in ransoms.

The Power said it would provide more information once it became available.

Originally published as Port Adelaide respond to claims from Russian ransomware group that they have hacked internal IT systems