Successful Hack On EU Vaccine Agency

The European Medicines Agency (EMA) says it has been hit by a cyber attack and documents relating to a Covid-19 vaccine have been accessed. There have been several other known cyber attacks that have targeted COVID-19 research and now this attack is known to have successfully stolen data, from the first authorised coronavirus vaccine, outside Russia and China. 

BioNTech, which makes one of the vaccines in partnership with Pfizer, said its regulatory submission was accessed during the attack.

The EMA is currently working on approval of two Covid-19 vaccines, which it expects to conclude within weeks. “EMA has been the subject of a cyber-attack... The agency has swiftly launched a full investigation, in close cooperation with law enforcement and other relevant entities. it said in statement.

In contrast, the vaccine maker BioNTech disclosed more about the incident. “Today, we were informed by the EMA that the agency has been subject to a cyber-attack and that some documents relating to the regulatory submission for Pfizer and BioNTech’s COVID-19 vaccine candidate, BNT162b2, which has been stored on an EMA server, had been unlawfully accessed,” it posted on its website. Furthermore, “Given the critical public health considerations and the importance of transparency, we continue to provide clarity around all aspects of the vaccine development and regulatory processes... Our focus remains steadfast on working in close partnership with governments and regulators to bring our COVID-19 vaccine to people around the globe as safely and as efficiently as possible to help bring an end to this devastating pandemic.”

Recently IBM warned of a sophisticated nation state phishing campaign was against various organisations that provide the cold chain storage needed to distribute the Pfizer vaccine.  Sensitive information on vaccines developed in the West has been sought-after by nation state actors from China, Russia and North Korea for months. 

The attack on the EMA comes the day before the agency is due to update the European Parliament on the progress of the vaccine assessments. 

In October, an Indian pharma giant making Russia’s Sputnik-V vaccine had to close down a number of facilities because of cyber-attacks. Warnings from the National Cyber Security Centre, Microsoft and US authorities have come thick and fast throughout the year.

European Medicines Agency:       BioNTech:        FiercePharma:        Infosecurity Magazine:       BBC:

You Might Also Read:

GCHQ Launches War Against Coronavirus Vaccine Fake News:

 

« Connected Devices Must Be More Secure
FireEye Attacked By A Foreign Government »

CyberSecurity Jobsite
Perimeter 81

Directory of Suppliers

Clayden Law

Clayden Law

Clayden Law are experts in information technology, data privacy and cybersecurity law.

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.

Resecurity, Inc.

Resecurity, Inc.

Resecurity is a cybersecurity company that delivers a unified platform for endpoint protection, risk management, and cyber threat intelligence.

DigitalStakeout

DigitalStakeout

DigitalStakeout enables cyber security professionals to reduce cyber risk to their organization with proactive security solutions, providing immediate improvement in security posture and ROI.

IT Governance

IT Governance

IT Governance is a leading global provider of information security solutions. Download our free guide and find out how ISO 27001 can help protect your organisation's information.

HackLabs

HackLabs

HackLabs is a penetration testing company providing services for network security, web application security and social engineering testing.

Engineering Ingegneria Informatica

Engineering Ingegneria Informatica

Ingegneria Informatica is a leading Italian provider of Information Technology consulting, services and solutions including cyber security.

ABL Cyber Academy

ABL Cyber Academy

ABL provide certified training courses in the field of cyber security and IT project management.

Huntsman Security

Huntsman Security

Huntsman Security provides technology to enable real-time security monitoring and immediate visibility of advanced threats and compliance issues.

Monegasque Digital Security Agency (AMSN)

Monegasque Digital Security Agency (AMSN)

AMSN is the national authority in charge of the security of information systems in Monaco.

NEARBY

NEARBY

NEARBY is a cyber security consulting firm and solutions provider offering a range of products an services including Managed Security Service (CyberFortress), Security Assessments and Training.

CI Security

CI Security

CI Security provide Managed Detection and Response, Vulnerability Detection, and Cybersecurity Consulting Services to help you secure your mission-critical systems.

HUB Security

HUB Security

Hub Security provide Ultra Secure, Military Grade HSM (Hardware Security Module) Solutions for Blockchain and Digital Assets.

Pointer Brand Protection

Pointer Brand Protection

Pointer Brand Protection is committed to protecting brands of all sizes from a variety of online crimes.

GlobeX Data

GlobeX Data

GlobeX Data distributes, designs and develops Swiss hosted cyber security and Internet privacy solutions for secure data management and secure communications.

MONITORAPP

MONITORAPP

MONITORAPP is responsible for complete web security. Protect your business environment with Application Security Solutions from MONTORAPP.

BIO-key

BIO-key

BIO-key is a pioneer and innovator, we are recognized as a leading developer of fingerprint biometric authentication and security solutions.

Stairwell

Stairwell

Stairwell is building a new approach to cybersecurity around a vision that all security teams should be able to determine what’s good, what’s bad, and why.

AutoRABIT

AutoRABIT

AutoRABIT provides DevSecOps tools built specifically for Salesforce developers to increase release velocity, produce consistently high-quality code, and enhance data security.

Oasis Technology

Oasis Technology

Oasis Technology are experts in cyber security. In addition to pioneering the game-changing TITAN anti-hacking device, we provide extensive cyber security consulting services.

ExtraHop

ExtraHop

ExtraHop's dynamic cyber defense platform uses cloud-scale AI to help enterprises detect and respond to advanced threats - before they compromise your business.