FBI Says Foreign States Hacked US Research Centers Seeking COVID-19 Breakthroughs

A top FBI official has warned that foreign governments are seeking to break into American companies' cyber systems where crucial coronavirus research data is stored.

"We certainly have seen reconnaissance activity, and some intrusions, into some of those institutions, especially those that have publicly identified themselves as working on COVID-related research," FBI Deputy Assistant Director for the FBI Cyber Division Tonya Ugoretz told an Aspen Institute online panel discussion.

The FBI official described the spike in state-backed hacking cases comes as several Western bio-research companies could be on the cusp of developing breakthrough treatments and potentially a vaccine related to the ongoing pandemic, which over the past weeks has been ravaging the United States as the new global epicenter.

The flipside to companies publicizing their research, Ugoretz said in her comments this week, "is that it kind of makes them a mark for other nation-states that are interested in gleaning details about what exactly they're doing and maybe even stealing proprietary information that those institutions have."

"For example, if we see that a secure institution is a victim or has been targeted, we, of course, go out and work with them," Ugoretz continued. "Ideally, what we are doing is talking to healthcare institutions and research institutions before they have been a victim so that we can use the intelligence we have to identify the trends and identify who else is in the same category of the victims."

She noted the FBI's Internet Crime Complaint Center currently receives some 3,000 to 4,000 calls per day. Prior to the pandemic crisis hitting North America this figure was at 1,000.

The official did not name specific countries or bad actors; however, it follows a report from the WHO earlier this month, which described "a sustained digital bombardment" by hackers described as seeking internal information on the deadly coronavirus, further said to be "more than doubled" amid the pandemic crisis.

Western intelligence sources in early April fingered Iran as being behind the bulk of recent alleged hacks of international health organizations, including the UN.

https://www.zerohedge.com/geopolitical/fbi-says-foreign-states-hacked-us-research-centers-seeking-covid-19-breakthroughs

DS HIT JOB?

Alabama and Texas Announce Plans to Reopen Businesses in Their States, Some Immediately

Alabama will start reopening its businesses next week.

Governor Kay Ivey made the announcement on Friday.

Alabama Lt. Governor Will Ainsworth and the Small Business Emergency Task Force on Friday unveiled a plan to reopen businesses in the state, some immediately. Hear details about the phased reopening of the Alabama economy above or here.

And Texas Governor Greg Abbott announced plans to slowly start opening the state’s economy next week.

CBS Local reported:

Texas Gov. Greg Abbott gave an update Friday afternoon on plans to slowly start opening the state’s economy back up and how classrooms will remain closed for the rest of the school year.

Abbott started by introducing the Strike Force to Open Texas that will begin the process of reopening businesses as the economy has taken massive hits during the shutdowns. The task force will include Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick, House Speaker Dennis Bonnen and Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton.

Abbott said the task force’s goal will be to look at ways at reopening the state’s economy safely while the pandemic is still going on.

The governor issued an executive order that will allow “retail to go” in order for businesses that were forced to shut down to open their doors again. This is expected to go into effect next Friday, April 24.

“You will be able to access more retailers while also minimizing contact with others. It sets standards on retailers and insures reducing exposure to COVID-19,” Abbott said.

https://www.thegatewaypundit.com/2020/04/alabama-texas-announce-plans-reopen-businesses-states/