Hackers target groups in COVID-19 vaccine distribution, says IBM

WASHINGTON (Reuters) – IBM and U.S. officials are sounding the alarm over hackers targeting companies critical to the distribution of COVID-19 vaccines.

IBM said on Thursday that the campaign was a sign that digital spies are turning their attention to the complex logistical work involved in inoculating the world’s population against the novel coronavirus, although some outside experts questioned whether that was the hackers’ focus.

In a blog post published on Thursday, IBM said it had uncovered “a global phishing campaign” focused on organizations associated with the COVID-19 vaccine “cold chain” – the process needed to keep vaccine doses at extremely cold temperatures as they travel from manufacturers to people’s arms.