North Korean, Russian hackers target Covid-19 vaccine researchers in US, India
- Microsoft said state-backed hackers have targeted more than half a dozen organisations involved in Covid-19 treatment and vaccine research around the globe
- The allegations of cyber espionage come as world powers are jockeying behind the scenes in the race to produce a vaccine for the virus
02:30
Pfizer coronavirus vaccine more than 90 per cent effective, US drug maker says
Few other details were provided by Microsoft. It declined to name the targeted organisations, say which ones had been hit by which actor, or provide a precise timeline or description of the attempted intrusions.
The Russian embassy in Washington – which has repeatedly disputed allegations of Russian involvement in digital espionage – said in an email that there was “nothing that we can add” to their previous denials.
UK, US and Canada accuse Russia of hacking virus vaccine research
The allegations of cyber espionage come as world powers are jockeying behind the scenes in the race to produce a vaccine for the virus.
They also highlight how Microsoft is pressing its case for a new set of global rules barring digital intrusions aimed at health care providers.
Microsoft executive Tom Burt said in a statement his company was timing its announcement with Microsoft president Brad Smith’s appearance at the virtual Paris Peace Forum, where he would call on world leaders “to affirm that international law protects health care facilities and to take action to enforce the law.”