the three Intelligence agencies of Western countries have accused of working for Russia hackers in cyber attacks to steal data for the development of vaccines against coronavirus.
the British intelligence services found a Russian alleged cyber attack on participated in the testing of vaccines against coronavirus University after installation cybersite that protects this object, reports the Daily Mail.
Intelligence agencies feared a possible hacking attempt in March, when the pandemic has spread throughout the country, The Times reports.
Cyberset was established the National cybersecurity center (NCSC), a division of the Centre of the UK government communications (GCHQ), which was later found attack from the hacker group Cosy Bear, also known as Advanced Persistent Threat 29 and Dukes.
According to British media reports, it is not clear whether the group, which the West suspected of close ties with the Russian government, to obtain any information.
Thursday UK, USA and Canada published a sensational joint statement, which stated that the hacker group APT29 (aka Cozy Bear) is involved in a continuing campaign of “malicious activity”. Western intelligence agencies believe that the group is “almost certainly” is part of the Russian intelligence services, and officials believe that the Kremlin gave the green light to this activity.
In London, Washington and Ottawa believe that the purpose of the Russian attacks was “intellectual property theft” to Moscow could be the first to develop a vaccine against the coronavirus or at least simultaneously with the UK, USA and Canada.
among the objectives of hackers, as stated, was the University of Oxford and Imperial College London have been conducting successful work in developing a vaccine. Sources in the security system claim that the spy attacks were sanctioned at the “highest levels” of the Russian authorities.
the operations Director of the British National cybersecurity center Floor Chichester encouraged organizations involved in research of coronaviruses, to strengthen their defense.
As pointed out by the media, the statement of the three intelligence services of Western countries could trigger a diplomatic fire and worsen the already strained relations between Britain and Russia.
Official representative of the British Prime Minister called a “dastardly” “attacks committed against scientists and other persons carrying out vital work to combat coronavirus”.
the national cybersecurity center (NCSC) says that the hacker group APT29 “almost certainly valid in the Russian security services”. Agree with that assessment to the Department of homeland security U.S. Agency security infrastructure cybersecurity and the Agency netbetsecurity and the Canadian Agency communications security.
According to NCSC, “a campaign of malicious acts APT29 continues,” and it “is mainly directed against government, diplomatic, analytical, medical and energy purposes by stealing valuable intellectual property.”
According to NCSC, such cyber attacks occurred “for 2020”, the action of the group APT29 targeted various organizations in Canada, USA and UK the development of vaccines against COVID-19.
the Organization said that “highly likely” (again, “highly likely”!), what is the aim of the attacks was to steal information and intellectual property “associated with the development and testing of vaccines against COVID-19”.
foreign Minister Dominic Raab demanded to put an end to cyber-attacks and said the UK will work with its allies to “bring the perpetrators to justice.”
These statements about the attempts connected with Russia hackers to obtain information about the development of a vaccine in the West was performed in parallel with the statements of the British authorities about the attempts of Moscow to affect held in 2019 General elections in the United Kingdom.
meanwhile, official representatives of the Russian authorities deny all accusations against Moscow of involvement in such interference or attacks.
