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

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.

Directory of Cyber Security Suppliers

Directory of Cyber Security Suppliers

Our Supplier Directory lists 8,000+ specialist cyber security service providers in 128 countries worldwide. IS YOUR ORGANISATION LISTED?

BackupVault

BackupVault

BackupVault is a leading provider of automatic cloud backup and critical data protection against ransomware, insider attacks and hackers for businesses and organisations worldwide.

NordLayer

NordLayer

NordLayer is an adaptive network access security solution for modern businesses — from the world’s most trusted cybersecurity brand, Nord Security. 

LockLizard

LockLizard

Locklizard provides PDF DRM software that protects PDF documents from unauthorized access and misuse. Share and sell documents securely - prevent document leakage, sharing and piracy.

Cleo

Cleo

Cleo is a leader in secure information integration, enabling both ease and excellence in business data movement and orchestration.

DoSarrest Internet Security Ltd

DoSarrest Internet Security Ltd

DOSarrest is a fully managed security firm specializing in cloud based DDoS protection services to a worldwide client base.

ATSEC Information Security

ATSEC Information Security

ATSEC is an independent, privately-owned company that focuses on providing laboratory and consulting services for information security.

MAY Cyber Technology

MAY Cyber Technology

MAY Cyber Technology is a Security Management solutions provider located in Turkey & Germany.

NetLib Security

NetLib Security

NetLib Security’s powerful, patented data security platform helps companies control data loss prevention (DLP) by managing what data can be transferred outside of their network.

SentryBay

SentryBay

SentryBay is the global leader in preventative endpoint isolation protection. We protect remote, BYOD and corporate endpoints so they can safely and securely connect with your corporate network.

Global Cyber Alliance (GCA)

Global Cyber Alliance (GCA)

Global Cyber Alliance is an international, cross-sector effort dedicated to eradicating cyber risk and improving our connected world.

S4x Events

S4x Events

S4x are the most advanced and largest ICS cyber security events in the world.

SynerLeap

SynerLeap

SynerLeap is ABB's innovation growth hub. Our aim is to help startups accelerate and expand across industries, ranging from industrial automation and robotics to grid technologies and smart cities.

Findcourses.com

Findcourses.com

Findcourses is a dedicated education search engine designed to make it easy for our learners to search and find exactly what they need from our community of trusted training providers.

US Cyber Range

US Cyber Range

US Cyber Range is a scalable, cloud-hosted infrastructure providing students with virtual environments for realistic, hands-on cybersecurity labs and exercises.

Port53 Technologies

Port53 Technologies

Port53 Technologies is focused on delivering enterprise-grade, cloud-delivered security solutions that are easy to deploy, simple to manage and extremely effective.

CISO Global

CISO Global

CISO Global (formerly Cerberus Sentinel) are on a mission to demystify and accelerate our clients’ journey to cyber resilience, empowering organizations to securely grow, operate, and innovate.

SilverEdge Government Solutions

SilverEdge Government Solutions

SilverEdge is a next generation provider of innovative and proprietary cybersecurity, software, and intelligence solutions for the Defense and Intelligence Communities.

LogicMonitor

LogicMonitor

LogicMonitor provides SaaS-based IT infrastructure monitoring services for on-premises and multi-cloud environments.

BugProve

BugProve

BugProve offers a firmware analysis tool that speeds up security testing processes and supports compliance needs by automating repetitive tasks and detecting 0-day vulnerabilities.