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Pfizer Inc.

European Medicines Agency Hit by Cyber Attack, Vaccination Data Stolen

Strategic Insights

— 2 min read

The European Medicines Agency has fallen victim to a cyber attack, resulting in the theft of COVID-19 vaccine data. The agency, responsible for authorizing vaccine use across Europe, has access to trial and safety data from pharmaceutical companies Pfizer and Moderna. Pfizer, whose vaccine is in use in the UK, has confirmed that documents relating to its vaccine trials have been accessed, but no study participants have been identified.

The EMA has launched a full investigation into the attack and is cooperating with law enforcement and other relevant entities. However, the agency has shared little detail on when the attack occurred or how long it had known of the breach. The agency's slow approval process for COVID-19 vaccines has been criticized, and its decision to review the applications for Pfizer/BioNTech and Moderna's vaccines has been put into question.

Key Takeaways:

  • The European Medicines Agency (EMA) has been hit by a cyber attack, resulting in the theft of COVID-19 vaccine data.
  • The EMA is responsible for authorizing vaccine use across Europe and has access to trial and safety data from pharmaceutical companies Pfizer and Moderna.
  • Pfizer has confirmed that documents relating to its vaccine trials have been accessed, but no study participants have been identified.
  • The EMA has launched a full investigation into the attack and is cooperating with law enforcement and other relevant entities.
  • The agency has shared little detail on when the attack occurred or how long it had known of the breach.
  • The EMA's slow approval process for COVID-19 vaccines has been criticized, and its decision to review the applications for Pfizer/BioNTech and Moderna's vaccines has been put into question.
  • The cyber attack on the EMA is the latest in a string of attempts to steal COVID-19 vaccine data, including a recent email scam targeting the vaccine supply chain and hacker attempts to steal research in the UK and US.

Statistics:

  • The EMA has confirmed that COVID-19 vaccine data has been stolen in the cyber attack.
  • Pfizer has stated that no study participants have been identified through the data being accessed.
  • The EMA's investigation into the attack is ongoing, but no further details have been released.
  • The agency's approval process for COVID-19 vaccines has been criticized for being slow.
  • Pfizer's vaccine has been approved for use in the UK, with plans to review the application for the vaccine later.

Sources:

  • THE: European Medicines Agency has fallen victim to a cyber attack that allowed hackers to escape with Covid-19 vaccine data.
  • THE: Pfizer said it had been told that documents relating to its vaccine trials had been accessed.
  • THE: The EMA shared little detail on when it was hacked or how long it had known of the breach.
  • THE: The EMA is cooperating with "law enforcement and other relevant entities" but did not specify which authorities were investigating or when the attack took place.
  • IBM: IBM uncovered an email scam targeting the vaccine supply chain that ensures cold temperature storage for safe preservation of the drugs.
  • GOVERNMENT: Russian hackers were caught trying to steal research into Covid-19 drugs in the UK and the US, the Government revealed in July.

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