Russia tried to target scientists working on coronavirus vaccine, cyber security agency warns
Russian president Vladimir Putin. (Alexei Nikolsky, Sputnik, Kremlin Pool Photo via AP) - Credit: AP
Hackers with connections to Russian intelligence agencies have been attempting to target British scientists working to develop a coronavirus vaccine, the National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC) has warned.
In a joint statement with the US National Security Agency and the Canadian Communication Security Establishment, the NCSC said the attacks were part of a global campaign by the group known as APT29 to steal the secrets of vaccine research.
NCSC director of operations Paul Chichester said: 'We condemn these despicable attacks against those doing vital work to combat the coronavirus pandemic.
'Working with our allies, the NCSC is committed to protecting our most critical assets and our top priority at this time is to protect the health sector.
'We would urge organisations to familiarise themselves with the advice we have published to help defend their networks.'
You may also want to watch:
The UK is home to two of the leading research programmes to develop a vaccine based at Oxford University and Imperial College London.
The NCSC said that, together with the US and the Canadians, it had assessed that APT29 - also known as the Dukes or Cozy Bear - was 'almost certainly' operating as part of the Russian intelligence services.
Most Read
- 1 Jacob Rees-Mogg claims fish captured after Brexit deal came into effect were 'British and happier for it'
- 2 The greatest failure of government in our lifetime
- 3 Matt Hancock praises free school meals before being reminded he voted against them
- 4 Katie Hopkins joins UKIP in time for leadership contest
- 5 Brexiteer MP ridiculed after calling for free movement of goods between GB and NI
- 6 Spokesman indicates Boris Johnson has not read Brexit trade deal text
- 7 Michel Barnier tells Britain Brexit red tape is here 'for good'
- 8 What Remainers should have done differently
- 9 Brexiteer says he'd never have voted for Brexit 'if we knew we'd lose our jobs'
- 10 Why I'll be making Leave EU's move to Ireland as difficult as possible
It said the group's campaign of 'malicious activity' was aimed predominantly at government, diplomatic, think-tank, healthcare and energy targets in an attempt to steal valuable intellectual property.
The NCSC has previously warned that APT (standing for advanced persistent threat) groups have been targeting organisations involved in both national and international Covid-19 research.
APT29 is said to use a variety of tools and techniques, including spear-phishing and custom malware known as 'WellMess' and 'WellMail'.
The revelations come as the government denied it was trying to pre-empt details of the report into Russian interference in UK politics.
Foreign secretary, Dominic Raab, told MPs: 'It is completely unacceptable that the Russian Intelligence Services are targeting those working to combat the coronavirus pandemic.
'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.
'The UK will continue to counter those conducting such cyber attacks, and work with our allies to hold perpetrators to account.'
Become a Supporter
The New European is proud of its journalism and we hope you are proud of it too. We believe our voice is important - both in representing the pro-EU perspective and also to help rebalance the right wing extremes of much of the UK national press. If you value what we are doing, you can help us by making a contribution to the cost of our journalism.
