US Cyber Officials Try to Channel Liam Neeson in Responding to Coronavirus Threats

“Project Taken” is a multi-agency effort to protect U.S. vaccine research and other data from hacking and infiltration. In early March, the team identified essential organizations that needed protection, including U.S. labs working on a vaccine, pharmaceutical firms researching virus treatments, and equipment suppliers with global supply chains.

Publicly, CISA officials have accused Chinese government-backed hackers of trying to steal vaccine research and warned about cybercriminals exploiting pandemic-related fears. Privately, they have been working with the Pentagon and multinational manufacturers to try to protect supply chains from being compromised.