In March 2020, the World Health Organization (WHO) reported that it has received a two-fold increase in cyberattacks. WHO Chief Information Security Officer Flavio Aggio has said that the efforts of the hackers were unsuccessful and their identities remain unknown. This latest spike in hacking attempts was flagged in early March when hackers activated a malicious site attempting to mimic the WHO’s internal email system. The cyberattacks were intending to steal passwords from multiple WHO staffers. The WHO has warned that hackers are posing as agency staff to steal money and sensitive information from the public. The exact motive behind the attacks remains unclear, however, the WHO is aware that information about tests or vaccines related to the coronavirus (COVID-19) would be incredibly valuable. Ultimately, the overall risk of cyberattack is particularly significant as a great number of people are transitioning to remote work during the COVID-19 crisis.
Click here to read our Insight on the Global Risk of Data Insecurity.
