Race for Coronavirus Vaccine Pits Spy Against Spy

The New York Times (NYT) (09/05/2020)
  • Intelligence agencies warn that Russian and Chinese government-sponsored hackers are targeting coronavirus research networks.
  • Instead of targeting pharmaceutical companies, the hackers are focusing on innovative academic research institutions such as the University of North Carolina that have “less robust” data protection systems.
  • The hackers are exploiting network vulnerabilities to gain insight on vaccine development.
  • China’s consulate in Houston (Texas) was forced to close in part following allegations that local medical experts were being infiltrated.
  • Russian hackers are targeting Oxford University and AstraZeneca research activities.