UK Condemns Russian Intelligence for Targeting COVID-19 Vaccine Research
The UK government openly condemns Russian intelligence services for launching cyber attacks against organizations developing COVID-19 vaccines. The National Cyber Security Centre identifies the threat actors as APT29 and issues joint protective guidance with US and Canadian allies.
The UK government officially condemns Russian intelligence services for executing cyber attacks against organizations involved in COVID-19 vaccine development. Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab calls these actions completely unacceptable, noting that these malicious actors target those working diligently to combat the global coronavirus pandemic.
The UK’s National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC), alongside US and Canadian cybersecurity agencies, publishes a joint advisory to help organizations defend against these specific threats. The NCSC assesses with high confidence that the actors, widely tracked as APT29 or Cozy Bear, operate as part of Russian intelligence and aim to steal valuable vaccine research data.
The UK and its international allies pledge to continue countering these irresponsible cyber operations and hold the perpetrators accountable. As researchers focus on protecting global health, the NCSC actively provides critical security advice to ensure that medical research and development organizations safeguard their sensitive information from ongoing espionage.