UK spies help NHS fight pandemic-fueled cyber crime attacks

A state security agency has stepped in to help Britain’s National Health Service repel a surge in cybercrime linked to the coronavirus pandemic.

Some 723 online incidents required the direct intervention of the National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC) in the 12 months to August 31, a 10% increase from the same period ending in August 2019, the agency said in its annual report published Tuesday. About 200 of the attacks were related to the coronavirus.

The NCSC’s response included an assessment of the state-run health service’s vulnerabilities. This uncovered weaknesses including about 35 internet domains that could be exposed to malicious activity.