Life Saving Victoria reveals 'malicious' cyber attack

Victoria's peak agency for water safety has become the latest victim of a cyber attack, with hackers stealing some personal information.

Life Saving Victoria chief executive Catherine Greaves confirmed the cyber incident involved unauthorised access to a server by "malicious actors" on November 28.

"LSV took immediate steps to contain the database and commence forensic investigations into the incident," she said in a statement on Sunday.

"We also immediately commenced investigations to determine what information may have been subject to unauthorised access. 

"The extent of the personal information is limited and does not pose a serious threat to the individuals."

Life Saving Victoria employs more than 500 staff and has more than 37,000 members across its lifesaving clubs.

Ms Greaves said the registered charity, which is recognised by the Victorian government as the state's peak water safety agency, takes data security and the privacy of its members and customers extremely seriously.

The organisation has contacted all of those affected by the breach directly via email and recommended ways to limit the risk of harm that could arise.

"We have also reported the incident to the Office of the Australian Information Commission and the Australian Cyber Security Centre," Ms Greaves said.

"LSV would like to express our disappointment that the situation has occurred and we sincerely regret any inconvenience this may have caused."

It comes after St Vincent's Health Australia on Friday revealed it had discovered a cyber hack.

The health provider, which operates 10 private hospitals in NSW, Victoria and Queensland, is trying to work out what data has been stolen.

The breaches are the latest in a series of hacks to hit large organisations, which have included damaging cyber attacks on telco Optus, private health insurer Medibank and port operator DP World.

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