Russian Hackers At Work Stealing Coronavirus Vaccine Data

Russian hackers are attempting to steal Coronavirus vaccine research, say the American, British and Canadian security agencies. Together, their governments accuse Russia  of directing their elite hackers to breach research labs and steal vital data in the search for a solution to the to contain the pandemic.

The three nations have alleged that hacking group APT29, also known as Cozy Bear and said to be part of the Russian intelligence service, is attacking academic and pharmaceutical research institutions involved in coronavirus vaccine development.

The US National Security Agency said that a hacking group implicated in the 2016 break-ins into Democratic Party servers has been trying to steal intelligence about the vaccines from universities and health operations, although currently it is unclear as to what information was stolen.

American intelligence officials said the Russians were aiming to steal research to develop their own vaccine more quickly, not to sabotage other countries’ efforts.

The Russian hackers have targeted British, Canadian and American organizations using malware and sending fraudulent emails to try to trick their employees into turning over passwords and other security credentials, all in an effort to gain access to the vaccine research as well as information about medical supply chains. Russian President Vladimir Putin’s spokesman, Dmitry Peskov, rejected the accusations, saying, “We don’t have information about who may have hacked pharmaceutical companies and research centers in Britain.”

The UK did not say whether Putin knew about the more recent research hacking, but British officials believe such intelligence would be highly prized. 

"It is completely unacceptable that the Russian Intelligence Services are targeting those working to combat the coronavirus pandemic,'' Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab said in a statement. "While others pursue their selfish interests with reckless behaviour, the UK and its allies are getting on with the hard work of finding a vaccine and protecting global health.''

Relations between Russia and the UK, meanwhile, have plummeted since former spy Sergei Skripal and his daughter were poisoned with a Soviet-made nerve agent in the English city of Salisbury in 2018, though they later recovered. Britain blamed Moscow for the attack, which triggered a round of retaliatory diplomatic expulsions between Russia and Western countries.
The announcement speaks to the cyber security vulnerability created by the pandemic and the global race for a vaccine.

APNnews:    AlJazeera:     New York Times:

You Might Also Read:

Russian Government Hacking Groups Often Work Alone:

 

« Confirmed: US Cyber Attack On Russia In 2018
North Korean Hackers Have Stolen $2billion »

CyberSecurity Jobsite
Check Point

Directory of Suppliers

Alvacomm

Alvacomm

Alvacomm offers holistic VIP cybersecurity services, providing comprehensive protection against cyber threats. Our solutions include risk assessment, threat detection, incident response.

The PC Support Group

The PC Support Group

A partnership with The PC Support Group delivers improved productivity, reduced costs and protects your business through exceptional IT, telecoms and cybersecurity services.

North Infosec Testing (North IT)

North Infosec Testing (North IT)

North IT (North Infosec Testing) are an award-winning provider of web, software, and application penetration testing.

TÜV SÜD Academy UK

TÜV SÜD Academy UK

TÜV SÜD offers expert-led cybersecurity training to help organisations safeguard their operations and data.

Practice Labs

Practice Labs

Practice Labs is an IT competency hub, where live-lab environments give access to real equipment for hands-on practice of essential cybersecurity skills.

British Insurance Brokers’ Association (BIBA)

British Insurance Brokers’ Association (BIBA)

BIBA is the UK’s leading general insurance intermediary organisation. Use the ‘Find Insurance‘ section of the BIBA website to find providers of cyber risk insurance in the UK.

Industrial Cyber Security

Industrial Cyber Security

Industrial Cyber Security provides specialist consulting services in enterprise and SCADA system security.

Penta Security

Penta Security

Founded on its data encryption technology, Penta Security is a leading provider of web and data security products, solutions and services.

Neoteric Networks

Neoteric Networks

We deliver a no nonsense procedure to implementing technology. The technology selection process ensures that all customers enjoy an engineered methodology implementing technology.

Axonius

Axonius

Axonius is the only solution that offers a unified view of all assets and their coverage, empowering customers to take action to enforce their organization’s security policies.

Axcient

Axcient

Axcient offers MSPs the most secure backup and disaster recovery technology stack with a proven Business Availability suite.

Matrium Technologies

Matrium Technologies

Matrium Technologies has been a leading provider of technology solutions since 1991, with a strong industry background in Network Testing, Network Visibility and Security.

Seccuri

Seccuri

Seccuri is a unique global cybersecurity talent tech platform. Use our specialized AI algorithm to grow and improve the cybersecurity workforce.

Coretelligent

Coretelligent

Coretelligent is a leading providers of Managed and Co-Managed IT, cybersecurity and private cloud services.

Dope Security

Dope Security

Dope Security is a fly-direct Secure Web Gateway that eliminates the data center stopover architecture required by legacy providers, instead performing security directly on the endpoint.

Pillr

Pillr

Pillr is a cybersecurity operations platform capable of adapting to the demands of your business and team — and the global threat landscape.

Morpheus Enterprises

Morpheus Enterprises

Morpheus Enterprises offer managed security solutions designed to keep your web applications secure and your business running smoothly.

Dexian

Dexian

Dexian is a leading provider of staffing, IT, and workforce solutions with nearly 12,000 employees and 70 locations worldwide.

DeXpose

DeXpose

DeXpose is a hybrid dark/deep web monitoring and attack surface mapping platform to help you find compromised data or exposed assets related to your organization way before threat actors.

FutureRange

FutureRange

Specialising in IT Managed Services, Cybersecurity and Digital Transformation, FutureRange experts provide professional IT services for clients throughout Ireland and beyond.

US Insider Risk Management Center of Excellence (US-InRM)

US Insider Risk Management Center of Excellence (US-InRM)

The US-InRM Center of Excellence is a nonprofit organization dedicated to promoting private, public, and academic partnerships to foster knowledge sharing and resources to mitigate insider risk.