Hackers are attacking Canada's critical infrastructure
Water supply systems, energy infrastructure, and agriculture are now under threat.
The Canadian Centre for Cyber Security has issued an urgent warning to information security professionals about a series of cyberattacks on the country's critical infrastructure. According to the agency, hacktivist groups are conducting targeted attacks on control systems of water supply facilities, energy sector operations, and agricultural enterprises.
Series of Incidents in Key Industries
Over recent weeks, the Cyber Security Centre, working together with the RCMP, has recorded several serious incidents involving breaches of internet-connected industrial control systems.
One of the attacks targeted an unnamed water supply facility, where hackers gained control over the water pressure regulation system. This interference seriously disrupted water supply to the local community.
The second incident affected a Canadian oil and gas company, where hackers manipulated automated tank sensors, triggering false alarms and disrupting normal operations.
Threats to the Agricultural Sector
The third cyberattack occurred at a Canadian farm, where hackers altered temperature and humidity settings in a grain drying silo. These actions created potentially dangerous conditions for storing agricultural products.
Attackers' Motives
Representatives from the Cyber Security Centre, which is a division of the Communications Security Establishment, note that many organizations may become "collateral victims" of hacktivist groups. The main goals of these attackers are to attract media attention, damage the reputation of individual companies, and discredit Canada's image as a whole.
Experts emphasize that even if a specific organization is not a direct target, it can still suffer from attacks by hacktivists seeking maximum public impact.
