Opinion

COVID in cyberspace

photo_camera Cybercrime COVID-19

Threats in cyberspace have increased because of the theft of the COVID 19 vaccine. The COVID-19 pandemic has demonstrated the weakness of our society when we thought we were a developed, modern country and a leader in some sectors. The COVID-19 pandemic has demonstrated the weakness of our society when we thought we were a developed, modern country at the forefront of certain sectors. One of these was the universal health system that had cost us so much effort and investment to build and which was overwhelmed in a few weeks by poor foresight, bad management and too much negligence that could only be overcome by the sacrifice, professionalism and humanity of thousands of health workers. Other professionals in key sectors such as transport, food, security, infrastructure and others also rose to the occasion. From the beginning of the pandemic, the great challenge is to get a vaccine as soon as possible and with all the guarantees to face the disease and to be able to avoid the enormous damages and disorders it is causing all over the world. Unfortunately, we will soon reach one million deaths on the planet and in Spain there are more than 50,000. The second wave we are suffering has forced more drastic measures and seriously affects the economy and employment. 

The vaccine is, right now, the world's greatest treasure coveted by millions of people and the object of espionage and attempted cyber-robbery. All the laboratories and institutions that are tirelessly researching for the vaccine also have to make great efforts and take technological and digital measures to prevent attempts by cybercriminals to get hold of data that is now worth many millions. This is not about service, the key is enrichment and power. Cyberspace has become the place where fierce technological battles are fought that cause considerable damage, and it therefore requires being prepared to neutralise the multiple attacks and guarantee the vital security of key infrastructures, institutions, companies and, in this case, laboratories and hospitals that research the vaccine. 

At the 32nd International Seminar on Security and Defence organised by the Association of European Journalists, under the title "Threats from cyberspace", high-level civilian and military experts explained the need for countries, including Spain, to devote all the necessary and essential means to guaranteeing the security and defence of vital interests for all that are at stake in cyberspace. Paz Esteban, Director of the CNI, warned that "the struggle to obtain the vaccine is a great incentive for cyber-attackers". Admiral Juan Francisco Martínez Núñez, Secretary General for Defence Policy, clearly defined the situation: "Cyberspace is the new world of the 21st century"; while General Félix Sanz Roldán, former Director of the CNI, demanded that every citizen protect their computer and mobile phone to avoid being used by cybercriminals.