Hackers linked to Beijing targeted Covid-19 vaccine firm Moderna

Hackers linked to the Chinese governmenT targeted US biotech company Moderna which is currently focusing on developing a Covid-19 vaccine, with the aim of stealing valuable data.

According to Reuters, a US security official said that the hackers conducted reconnaissance against the computer network of the Massachusetts-based biotech firm which is known to be working on a vaccine.

Moderna told Reuters that it had been in contact with the FBI and was made aware of the suspected “information reconnaissance activities” by the hacking group mentioned in last week’s indictment.

The US Justice Department made public an indictment of two Chinese nationals accused of spying on the United States, including three unnamed US-based targets involved in medical research to fight the pandemic.

“Moderna remains highly vigilant to potential cybersecurity threats, maintaining an internal team, external support services and good working relationships with outside authorities to continuously assess threats and protect our valuable information,” spokesman Ray Jordan said, declining to provide further detail.

Moderna’s vaccine candidate is heavily backed by the Trump administration with nearly half a billion dollars in funding and helping Moderna launch a clinical trial of up to 30,000 people beginning this month.