Queensland Government Department Loses $809K in Cyber Attack

• •Queensland's CDSB lost $809,000 in a cyber attack linked to a third-party provider.
• •No sensitive government data was compromised during the incident.
• •The attack underscores the complexities of cyber insurance coverage for financial losses.

In July 2025, Queensland's Customer Services, Open Data and Small and Family Business department lost $809,000 due to a cyber attack involving a third-party telecommunications provider. The attack was motivated by financial gain, but no government data or sensitive information was compromised. The department confirmed that no payments were made to the attackers and that immediate steps were taken to contain the incident. An external party was engaged to investigate and mitigate further exposure. The incident highlights the complexities of cyber insurance coverage, as the loss may relate to crime cover or social engineering extensions. An audit report released in March 2026 assessed the management of third-party cyber security risks within public sector entities, including the CDSB's role in the state's cyber security strategy.