Oxford’s Covid lab targeted by hackers

Oxford University said on Thursday it was investigating a digital intrusion after a researcher said he had seen evidence that a lab researching Covid-19 had been hacked. The breach took place in mid-february and occurred at the Division of Structural Biology, known as Strubi, which has been carrying out research into Covid-19, according to Alex Holden, founder of Wisconsin-based Hold Security. Strubi is distinct from the Jenner Institute, which develops the Oxford Covid-19 vaccine in partnership with Astrazeneca. The university confirmed there had been a hack. “We have identified and contained the problem and are now investigating further. There has been no impact on any clinical research, as this is not conducted in the affected area,” an Oxford spokesperson said, adding that the university was working with the National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC) on the incident.