Cyber spooks helped Oxford vaccine experts defend themselves against a web attack in one of around 200 attacks aimed at organisations linked to the health sector or vaccine development.

The ransomware attack on the University of Oxford, which developed the AstraZeneca coronavirus vaccine, was one of scores in Autumn 2020 aimed at crippling academic and research institutions, the National Cyber Security Centre said in its annual review.

The cybersecurity agency, which is part of GCHQ, said it had helped mitigate 777 incidents between September 2020 and the end of August this year - around a fifth of which were aimed at organisations linked to the health sector and vaccines.

It said the growth in reported incidents was partly down to its work to proactively identify cyber threats, but it had also had to respond to a rise in cyber attacks, particularly ransomware.

Ransomware is a form of cyber attack which locks files and data on a user's computer and demands payment in order for them to be released back to the owner, and has been used as part of a number of high-profile cyber attacks in recent years, including the 2017 attack on the NHS.

Earlier this year, NCSC chief executive Lindy Cameron warned that criminals and state-backed groups will continue to use the pandemic as a vehicle for a cyber attack - whether it be to target information around vaccines or by stoking fears to carry out scams.

The NCSC said it had made extra effort since the start of the pandemic to protect the healthcare sector as a result.

Jeremy Fleming, director of GCHQ, said: "This year we have seen countless examples of cyber security threats: from state-sponsored activity to criminal ransomware attacks. It all serves to remind us that what happens online doesn't stay online - there are real consequences of virtual activity.

"In the face of rising cyberattacks and an evolving threat, this year's NCSC's annual review shows that world-class cyber security, enabled by the expertise of the NCSC as part of GCHQ, continues to be vital to the UK's safety and prosperity."

Keep up to date with all the latest news on our website, or follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

For news updates straight to your inbox, sign up to our newsletter here.

Have you got a story for us? Contact our newsdesk on news@nqo.com or 01865 425 445.