Additional driver's licence security measures are coming
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Much to the horror of many, data breaches are becoming more and more common these days. Recently, we’ve heard about several high-profile cases where the private information of millions of people was compromised.
One such case happened right here in Australia when telecommunications giant Optus suffered from a data breach that affected nearly one million licence holders nationwide.
Now, state governments are taking action to protect their citizens by introducing additional security measures on all new licences that will be issued following the breach.
One such state is Victoria, and according to VicRoads, victims will soon be issued new cards with an extra security number on the back – similar to how credit and debit cards have security codes – which will offer greater protection against identity theft.
More than 942,000 people had their details stolen in the Optus breach, and according to a Department of Transport spokesperson, they will all be receiving replacement licences with these new features.
In addition, their old licences will also be flagged on the Victorian Licensing Registry as being compromised.
'The Optus data breach is the biggest in Australia's history, and Victorian licence holders have been impacted more than any other state,' the spokesperson said.
'The Victorian government is fast-tracking protections for licence holders in response to the Optus data breach through the introduction of two-step verification and the free replacement of nearly one million licences.'
By the end of the year, replacement identification cards will be issued to the estimated 342,000 Victorians who were identified as being directly affected by the incident.
To verify your identity for a variety of services moving forward, including opening a bank account, loan application, phone contract, or real estate transaction, you’ll need both your new card number and original licence number.
It is said that all future Victorian driver's licences, as well as renewals, will include a second card number from now on.
'The Victorian Government will continue to seek reimbursement of costs from Optus for the replacement of the nearly one million licences of Victorians impacted by the largest data breach in Australian history,' the spokesperson added.
So, if you live in Victoria, were impacted by the data breach, and have a driver's licence, be on the lookout for your replacement card in the mail. In the meantime, you can check the VicRoads website to learn more information about these recent changes.
What do you think, members? Do you believe these extra precautions will be enough to keep our data secured and protected in the long run? And are you looking forward to having this implemented in every state? Let us know in the comments!
One such case happened right here in Australia when telecommunications giant Optus suffered from a data breach that affected nearly one million licence holders nationwide.
Now, state governments are taking action to protect their citizens by introducing additional security measures on all new licences that will be issued following the breach.
One such state is Victoria, and according to VicRoads, victims will soon be issued new cards with an extra security number on the back – similar to how credit and debit cards have security codes – which will offer greater protection against identity theft.
A million new licences will be provided to Victorians whose data was compromised in the recent Optus cyberattack. Credit: 9News.
More than 942,000 people had their details stolen in the Optus breach, and according to a Department of Transport spokesperson, they will all be receiving replacement licences with these new features.
In addition, their old licences will also be flagged on the Victorian Licensing Registry as being compromised.
'The Optus data breach is the biggest in Australia's history, and Victorian licence holders have been impacted more than any other state,' the spokesperson said.
'The Victorian government is fast-tracking protections for licence holders in response to the Optus data breach through the introduction of two-step verification and the free replacement of nearly one million licences.'
To further safeguard the identities of all Victorians affected by the Optus data leak, VicRoads is modernising and strengthening its licencing system. Credit: 9News.
By the end of the year, replacement identification cards will be issued to the estimated 342,000 Victorians who were identified as being directly affected by the incident.
To verify your identity for a variety of services moving forward, including opening a bank account, loan application, phone contract, or real estate transaction, you’ll need both your new card number and original licence number.
It is said that all future Victorian driver's licences, as well as renewals, will include a second card number from now on.
'The Victorian Government will continue to seek reimbursement of costs from Optus for the replacement of the nearly one million licences of Victorians impacted by the largest data breach in Australian history,' the spokesperson added.
What do you think, members? Do you believe these extra precautions will be enough to keep our data secured and protected in the long run? And are you looking forward to having this implemented in every state? Let us know in the comments!
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