The US Says Chinese Hackers Went Too Far During the Covid-19 Crisis
It's no secret that the Covid-19 pandemic has created prime conditions for nation state hacking. Working from home often means less strict security, which in turn invites digital espionage. But on Wednesday, the United States called out China-backed hackers specifically, accusing them of not just spying but endangering Covid-19 vaccine research.
As the world rushes to contain the pandemic and find a vaccine, researchers and government officials have increasingly warned about a rise in cyberattacks overall, including in those likely linked to intelligence-gathering. The latter have especially targeted public health institutions like the World Health Organization.
The race to develop a vaccine is particularly high stakes. While many countries claim they're willing to collaborate internationally throughout the process, it's unsurprising that some nations would turn to espionage to fill the gaps and suss out what researchers might be holding back. But if these operations disrupt or damage vaccine development, they could violate the norms surrounding espionage. A joint statement by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and Department of Homeland Security's Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency accuses China of doing exactly that.
