Red Cross hack: The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) was affected by a cyberattack, which allowed to be compromised the data of at least 515,000 extremely vulnerable people
"A major cyberattack targeting computer servers hosting information held by the International Committee of the Red Cross was detected this week," the committee said in a statement.
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According to the statement, the attack compromised the personal data and confidential information of more than 515,000 highly vulnerable individuals. Among them are people separated from their families due to conflict, disasters and migration, missing persons, families of missing persons and people in detention.
The International Committee of the Red Cross currently has no evidence to indicate who is behind this attack.
In a statement, it said the hacking attack targeted a third company in Switzerland, with which the Red Cross had contracts for data storage .
The International Committee says its biggest concern is the “potential risks posed by this breach – such as the public disclosure of this confidential data belonging to people the Red Cross and Red Crescent is trying to protect and assist.”
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“A cyberattack on the data of missing people adds to the anguish and suffering of families. We are all disappointed and confused that this kind of information has been targeted and compromised,” said ICRC Director-General Robert Mardini.
“This cyberattack further endangers vulnerable people, those already in need of humanitarian services“.
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Mr Mardini appealed to the attackers to do the right thing. That is, not to share, sell, leak or otherwise use the data of these vulnerable people that the Red Cross helps. “Your actions could potentially cause even more harm and pain to those who have already endured untold suffering,” he also said.
As a result of the attack, the ICRC was forced to shut down the computer systems supporting the “Restoring Family Links” program, a program that seeks to reunite family members separated by conflict, disaster or migration. “We are working as quickly as possible to identify solutions to continue this vital work,” the International Committee of the Red Cross concluded.
Source: The Guardian
