Australia has declared its support for the Joint Cyber Security Advisory established by the United States, United Kingdom and Canada, which details malicious cyber activity by Russian actors targeting organisations involved in COVID-19 vaccine development.
A joint statement from the Australian Cyber Security Centre (ACSC), the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT), and the Department of Home Affairs says the Joint Advisory made clear that cyber actors were conducting an ongoing campaign against Government, diplomatic, healthcare and other targets to steal intellectual property.
“Australia is concerned by any reports that malicious cyber actors are seeking to exploit the current pandemic for their own gain,” ACSC and the Departments said.
“The targeting of COVID19 vaccine development and research during a pandemic is completely unacceptable behaviour,” they said.
They called on Russia to cease immediately any cyber activity, or support for such activity, which was inconsistent with their international commitments.
The three Agencies said Australia had registered its concerns at the United Nations about malicious activity targeting health infrastructure.
“ACSC is working closely with organisations across Australia to help build their resilience to cyber compromises and is engaging with victims of malicious cyber incidents to offer cyber security advice and assistance,” they said.
“The ACSC, assisted by our law enforcement and industry partners, is working to disrupt and prevent COVID-19-related cyber activity.”
ACSC, DFAT and the Department of Home Affairs said Australia’s Cyber Cooperation Program was assisting countries in the region to strengthen their cyber resilience.
