State-sponsored Actors and Ransomware Threaten Canadian Critical Infrastructure, according to Annual Cyber Threat Assessment

The Canadian Centre for Cyber Security has released the National Cyber Threat Assessment 2020, which begins by noting increased vulnerability of Canadian individuals and organizations to cyber threat actors given their greater reliance on the internet in the COVID-19 environment. One of the key judgements presented in the document is state-sponsored actors are very likely attempting to develop cyber capabilities to disrupt Canadian critical infrastructure, such as the supply of electricity, to further their goals. It acknowledges that it’s very unlikely these actors will intentionally seek to disrupt infrastructure in the absence of international hostilities, while adding that they may target organizations to collect information, pre-position for future activities, or as a form of intimidation. In another key judgement, the report submits that ransomware directed against Canada will almost certainly continue to target large enterprises and critical infrastructure providers. The report also includes a long list of resources to help address the threats and challenges. Read the report at the Canadian Centre for Cyber Security.