Hack of Red Cross exposes data on over 500,000 vulnerable people
The Geneva-based ICRC said the breach targeted an external company in Switzerland that stores data for the humanitarian organisation.
Keystone / Laurent Gillieron
The Geneva-based International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) has been the victim of a “sophisticated cyber-attack”. Servers hosting the personal and confidential data of more than 515,000 extremely vulnerable people have been compromised.
This content was published on
2 minutes
ICRC/RTS/Reuters/sb
Español
es
CICR: Piratas informáticos acceden a datos de más de 500 000 personas vulnerables
The humanitarian organisation said on Wednesday that the breach by unknown intruders this week affected the data of hundreds of thousands of people “including those separated from their families due to conflict, migration and disaster, missing persons and their families, and people in detention”.
It said the information originated from at least 60 Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies around the world.
The most pressing concern for the Swiss-run organisation is the “potential risks that come with this breach – including confidential information being shared publicly – for people whom the Red Cross and Red Crescent network seeks to protect and assist, as well as their families”.
The ICRC said the breach targeted an external company in Switzerland that stores data for the humanitarian organisation, and there was no indication the information had been publicly shared or leaked.
“We are all appalled and perplexed that this humanitarian information would be targeted and compromised,” Robert Mardini, the ICRC’s director-general, said in a statementExternal link.
Mardini issued an appeal to the people behind the hack to “do the right thing. Do not share, sell, leak or otherwise use this data”.
As a result of the breach the Red Cross has been forced to shut down systems around its “Restoring Family Links” programme, which helps to reunite family members separated by conflict, disaster or migration.
“We are working as quickly as possible to identify workarounds to continue this vital work,” Mardini said.
More
The changing face of International Geneva
International Geneva is an important hub for multilateralism. But it is facing some unprecedented challenges.
Is artificial intelligence an advantage or a disadvantage for workers?
What is your experience with AI at work? Have you already used it? Has it helped you work better? Or has it caused you more stress, more work or caused you to lose your job? Tell us about your experiences!
Swiss price watchdog slams excessive prices for generic medicines
This content was published on
The cheapest generic medicines available in Switzerland are more than twice as expensive as in other countries, according to a study by the Swiss price watchdog.
Nature should not figure in net zero calculations: academic study
This content was published on
The natural removal of CO2 from the atmosphere by forests or oceans should not be included in the net-zero balance of climate protection measures, argue researchers.
This content was published on
None of the 15 major Swiss retail banks is meeting international climate and biodiversity targets, according to a ranking by WWF Switzerland.
This content was published on
Nestlé's new CEO Laurent Freixe, has presented plans for the future of the world's largest food company, after his first few weeks in office.
Swiss foreign minister calls on Moscow to end Ukraine war
This content was published on
It's high time Moscow ended its war against Ukraine, Swiss foreign minister Ignazio Cassis tells the UN Security Council.
This content was published on
The only alternative to the UN Palestinian agency’s work in Gaza is to allow Israel to run services there, Philippe Lazzarini, UNRWA Commissioner-General, told reporters in Geneva on Monday.
Study reveals food culture differences between Switzerland and neighbours
This content was published on
Three-quarters of Swiss people consider eating to be a pleasurable, social activity, a new survey reveals. Healthy eating, however, plays a much less important role, it found.
If you want to start a conversation about a topic raised in this article or want to report factual errors, email us at english@swissinfo.ch.
Read more
More
Ransomware attacks on the rise in Switzerland
This content was published on
Only 94 ransomware incidents were reported in the first half of the year, but the real number is believed to be closer to 2,000.
More Swiss firms facing cyber-attacks and ransom demands
This content was published on
Ransomware attacks by hackers continue to increase sharply, with some 2,700 Swiss firms falling victim over the past year, Beobachter magazine says.
This content was published on
The Swiss-run International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) will cut 95 posts owing to financial pressures linked to the Covid-19 pandemic.
You can find an overview of ongoing debates with our journalists here . Please join us!
If you want to start a conversation about a topic raised in this article or want to report factual errors, email us at english@swissinfo.ch.