Business Insider reports there has been 600% rise in malicious emails during the coronavirus pandemic.
So says UN disarmament chief Izumi Nakamitsu, who says cyber criminals have targeted healthcare and medical research facilities.
Experts and federal officials in the US have voiced concerns about attacks against online operations like unemployment claims and primary votes.
Nakamitsu said the threat facing information and communications technology "is urgent." It's estimated one cyber attack is carried out every 39 seconds.
The International Telecommunications Union says 90 countries around the world are still only in early stages of addressing cybersecurity issues.