The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) announced yesterday (19) have been the victim of a major cyber attack, in which 'hackers' captured the data of more than 515 people “extremely vulnerable“, some of whom fled wars.
"This cyberattack puts vulnerable people, those in need of humanitarian services, at even greater risk.“, said ICRC Director-General Robert Mardini in a statement.
The computer attack was detected this week by the organization based in Geneva, Switzerland, and where it informed that it still does not have certain information about the authors of the computer attack, which targeted an external company in Switzerland, with which the ICRC signed contracts to store data.
"While we don't know who is responsible for this attack, or why they carried it out, we do have this appeal for them ['hackers']. Your actions may cause even more harm and pain to those who have already suffered unspeakable suffering. Do not share, sell, disclose or use this data”, added Robert Mardini.
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So far there is no indication that the compromised information has been disclosed or shared publicly, but it is certain that the cyberattack "compromised personal data and confidential information on more than 515 extremely vulnerable people, including people separated from their families in the context of conflict, migration and disasters, missing persons and families and persons in detention".
Data were submitted from at least 60 National Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies around the world.
"Attacking missing person data makes the anguish and suffering of families even harder to bear,” Mardini said.
In the same statement, the ICRC said it was working with its humanitarian partners around the world to understand the scope of the attack and take appropriate measures to protect your data in the future.
