Russia Launching Cyberattacks to Steal COVID-19 Vaccine Research, Says Canada, U.S., U.K.
‘DESPICABLE ATTACKS’
Jamie Ross Reporter
Published Jul. 16, 2020 9:48AM ET
Reuters / Kai Pfaffenbach
Russia is trying to steal crucial research from organizations involved in creating a vaccine for the novel coronavirus, security officials from Canada, Britain, and the United States have said. The three western governments allege that a Russian hacking group called APT29—which has gone by the names Cozy Bear and The Dukes—is targeting their vaccine research and development organizations. “APT29's campaign of malicious activity is ongoing, predominantly against government, diplomatic, think tank, healthcare and energy targets to steal valuable intellectual property,” the U.K. National Cyber Security Centre said in a statement released Thursday. The U.K. agency added that APT29 operates as “part of Russian Intelligence Services.” CNN reports that the British assessment is supported by the Canadian Communication Security Establishment, as well as the U.S. Department for Homeland Security, Cybersecurity Infrastructure Security Agency, and the National Security Agency.
Poor Russia, they have an agent running the US govt but he's too dumb to give them what they want. |
