Cyber attack that led to pause in worldwide operations was ransomware, investigation continues: Dr Reddy's

In a ransomware attack, the hackers breach the systems, install malware that encrypts a victim's files, then demand a ransom from the victim to restore access to the data.

Viswanath Pilla

October 28, 2020 / 08:23 PM IST

live

bselive
nselive

Volume

Todays L/H

Dr Reddy's Laboratories on October 28 said it is still investigating the cyber attacks on the company's information technology (IT) systems and officially called it a ransomware attack for the first time.

In a ransomware attack, the hackers breach the systems, install malware that encrypts a victim's files, then demand a ransom from the victim to restore access to the data.

The drug maker declined to comment whether the hackers have raised any demand for payment. It said that is has engaged concerned law enforcement agencies.

Erez Israeli, CEO of Dr Reddy's said the Russian vaccine has nothing to do with the cyber attack.

COVID-19 Vaccine

Frequently Asked Questions

How does a vaccine work?

A vaccine works by mimicking a natural infection. A vaccine not only induces immune response to protect people from any future COVID-19 infection, but also helps quickly build herd immunity to put an end to the pandemic. Herd immunity occurs when a sufficient percentage of a population becomes immune to a disease, making the spread of disease from person to person unlikely. The good news is that SARS-CoV-2 virus has been fairly stable, which increases the viability of a vaccine.

How many types of vaccines are there?

There are broadly four types of vaccine — one, a vaccine based on the whole virus (this could be either inactivated, or an attenuated [weakened] virus vaccine); two, a non-replicating viral vector vaccine that uses a benign virus as vector that carries the antigen of SARS-CoV; three, nucleic-acid vaccines that have genetic material like DNA and RNA of antigens like spike protein given to a person, helping human cells decode genetic material and produce the vaccine; and four, protein subunit vaccine wherein the recombinant proteins of SARS-COV-2 along with an adjuvant (booster) is given as a vaccine.

What does it take to develop a vaccine of this kind?

Vaccine development is a long, complex process. Unlike drugs that are given to people with a diseased, vaccines are given to healthy people and also vulnerable sections such as children, pregnant women and the elderly. So rigorous tests are compulsory. History says that the fastest time it took to develop a vaccine is five years, but it usually takes double or sometimes triple that time.

Show