Report: Cyber actors targeting COVID-19 vaccine supply chain

The Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency yesterday alerted organizations to a global phishing and spearphishing campaign targeting the COVID-19 vaccine cold chain, the part of the supply chain used to store and transport a vaccine at safe temperatures. According to an IBM X-Force report, cyber actors impersonating a biomedical company have sent emails to executives and global organizations involved in COVID-19 vaccine storage and transport to harvest credentials. The emails have posed as requests for quotations to participate in a vaccine program. CISA encourages organizations to review the report for more information.

John Riggi, AHA senior advisor for cyber and risk, said, “This alert demonstrates the need to remain vigilant and educate staff of the perils of phishing emails, the number one attack vector by cyber adversaries, because frankly it works and is fairly simple. However, the impact of clicking on a phishing email in the context of vaccine distribution could have broad public health implications.”

For more on cybersecurity and risk issues, hospital and health system leaders may contact Riggi at jriggi@aha.org.