BIO-ISAC Releases Advisory to Biomanufacturers
The Bioeconomy Information Sharing and Analysis Center (BIO-ISAC) issued an advisory about "Tardigrade," a highly sophisticated and stealthy advanced persistent threat (APT) Windows malware targeting biomanufacturing and vaccine production infrastructure, highlighting the growing cyber vulnerabilities in the bioeconomy sector and urging companies to detect and defend against this metamorphic malware.
Tardigrade: An APT Attack on Vaccine Manufacturing Infrastructure
On November 22nd, the Bioeconomy Information Sharing and Analysis Center (BIO-ISAC) released an advisory regarding an advanced persistent threat (APT) attack named Tardigrade. BIO-ISAC is an international not-for-profit organization addressing security threats unique to the bioeconomy.
Earlier this year, Charles Fracchia, VP of Data at Dotmatics and founder of BioBright, was appointed to the BIO-ISAC Board of Directors and the Executive Board.
Regarding ‘Tardigrade’, Charles commented:
“This actor has been targeting the bioeconomy and biomanufacturing sector using tools of unprecedented sophistication and stealth to the field.
The briefing is intended to provide context and technical detail to help uncover whether this attacker is present in your environment and help defend yourself against them.”
Ed Chung, Chief Medical Officer, BioBright, adds:
“The bioeconomy, which is growing in both political scale and geopolitical influence, represents a very favorable attack target for malicious actors.”
Callie Churchwell, Senior Digital Biosecurity Analyst, BioBright, comments:
“We’ve reclassified this as a metamorphic malware.”
Press Coverage of the Bio-ISAC Advisory
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Tardigrade Malware Targets Biomanufacturing Operations
The non-profit Bioeconomy Information Sharing and Analysis Center (BIO-ISAC) released a disturbing advisory regarding an advanced, actively spreading persistent threat (APT) to bio-drug and vaccine manufacturers with a type of Windows malware it calls Tardigrade.
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A mysterious and highly sophisticated hacking tool has been found attacking biomanufacturing companies.
It’s raising alarms about cyber vulnerabilities in the sector that includes producers of coronavirus vaccines and treatments.
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HILLICON VALLEY — FEDS ISSUE THANKSGIVING CYBERSECURITY WARNING
Large biomanufacturing companies, including those that produce medications and vaccines tied to the COVID-19 pandemic, are being targeted by hackers potentially tied to Russia, researchers disclosed Monday.
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Devious ‘Tardigrade’ Malware Hits Biomanufacturing Facilities
The surprisingly sophisticated attack is “actively spreading” throughout the industry.
Earlier in 2021, Charles Fracchia contributed to ‘Biologia et Machina: Cyberbiosecurity for Today’s Hybrid Evolution’, a virtual meeting premiered by the USA Bipartisan Commission on Biodefense.
About BIO-ISAC
The Bioeconomy Information Sharing and Analysis Center (BIO-ISAC) is a critical resource for cyber threat detection, prevention, protection, response, recovery, and resilience for the nation, addressing threats unique to the bioeconomy and enabling coordination among stakeholders to facilitate a robust and secure industry. The BIO-ISAC is a 501(c)3 nonprofit member organization (pending), formally chartered in 2021.
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BIO-ISAC, an international non-profit organization founded to enhance resilience and provide early-warning and education on digital biosecurity threats to the bioeconomy, has appointed Charles Fracchia of BioBright to its Board of Directors and held its inaugural event on August 8, 2021, aiming to coordinate cyber threat detection, prevention, and response across biopharma, biomanufacturing, agriculture, and national security sectors.
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