Threats from nation states and criminals to the health system are a growing concern.<\/p>\n
The huge logistical challenge of rolling out vaccines faces the risk of disruption to complex supply chains.<\/p>\n
And criminal ransomware poses a threat at a time when the pandemic has increased our reliance on technology.<\/p>\n
The distribution of the various coronavirus vaccines may bring relief, but it also brings with it a major challenge: many of those involved have not had to think hard about security in the past.<\/p>\n
The complex global supply chain for vaccines ranges from factories in one country to internet-connected fridges in another.<\/p>\n
It will create new pressure on doctors’ surgeries, IT systems, and sometimes small providers who play a critical role.<\/p>\n
IBM has already said it has seen suspected state-hackers target the “cold chain” used to keep supplies at the right temperature during transportation.<\/p>\n
And in the UK, the National Cyber Security Centre, which worked quickly when the pandemic began to secure vaccine research, has since pivoted its efforts towards vaccine distribution.<\/p>\n
At least the large pharmaceutical companies are no stranger to cyber-espionage. Their security officials say they first began thinking hard about the issue after a major espionage campaign back in Spring 2010.<\/p>\n
But the issues around the pandemic have changed the sector’s importance.<\/p>\n
“We are now on a grander stage,” is how one person involved puts it.<\/p>\n
In July, the UK accused Russian intelligence of targeting research, including for the Oxford vaccine, while the US accused Chinese hackers of similar activity.<\/p>\n
Source: BBC News<\/p>\n