Australian Federal Police have launched Operation Hurricane to try to identify the criminals behind the Optus security breach.

The AFP says it is working with overseas law enforcement agencies.

Assistant Commissioner Cyber Command Justine Gough said she understood it may be a stressful time for those impacted.

“We are aware of reports of stolen data being sold on the dark web and that is why the AFP is monitoring the dark web using a range of specialist capabilities. Criminals, who use pseudonyms and anonymising technology, can’t see us but I can tell you that we can see them,” she said in a statement.

“A key focus, which we have had success in the past, is to identify those criminals.”

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Meanwhile, the telco has today announced it will offer free credit monitoring, to help protect current and former customers caught up in a massive security breach.

It will offer current and former customers free credit monitoring, to help reduce the risk of identity theft.