EXECUTIVE SUMMARY:

On Sunday night, the US Health and Human Services Department encountered a vicious cyber attack on its internal systems.

Emerging analysis and reports suggest that the attack may have been a DDoS attack, aimed to disrupt those who are trying to help the nation overcome the unexpected coronavirus pandemic.

The attackers were unable to steal any sensitive information, however false information concerning a national quarantine began to circulate via text message immediately after the hack.

The US National Security Council tweeted this in response:

Image courtesy of The Hill.

Despite the hostile threat, a spokesman for the National Security Council, said in a statement “HHS and federal networks are functioning normally at this time.”

Nonetheless, both officials and the public have expressed concern that US adversaries may attempt to exploit the coronavirus response efforts to show their anti-American position. It’s unclear as to the exact origins of the attack.

The agency has worked with the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Protection Agency (CISA) on a number of new cyber security measures to strengthen defense mechanisms.

Says Senator Ben Sasse (R-Neb.), “Here’s the reality of 21st century conflict: cyberattacks are massive weapons to kick opponents when they’re down. At a time when Americans face uncertainty and fear from coronavirus, we should expect an increase in cyberattacks and stay vigilant. Click To Tweet There need to be consequences for these kinds of attacks. We can’t take our eye off the ball,” words worth paying attention to in this moment of uncertainty.

For more on this story, visit Bloomberg.