Security News > 2021 > June > Swedish Public Health Agency Says Disease Database Targeted in Cyberattacks
The Swedish Public Health Agency is currently investigating several attempts to hack into SmiNet, a database that stores reports of infectious diseases, including COVID-19 cases.
SmiNet was shut down on Thursday, after the agency identified several attempts to gain unauthorized access to the database, but it was restored by Friday night.
On Thursday, the Public Health Agency announced that it had shut down the database to prevent hacking attempts, and immediately launched an investigation into the matter.
"Work is underway to investigate as quickly as possible whether anyone may have accessed sensitive personal data from the database, as well as sort out and rectify any deficiencies," a translation of the agency's announcement reads.
"It is still unclear whether unauthorized persons may have accessed sensitive information," the agency said.
In a follow-up announcement on Saturday, the agency said it had brought the SmiNet database back online with some adjustments, which involve "Certain restrictions on data reporting."