Public Safety Canada singles out ransomware, the malicious use of software to penetrate a computer system and hold data hostage, as “an increasingly common and indiscriminate threat.” (Ritchie B. Tongo/EPA)

Framework to combat economic security threats on the way: Public Safety Canada

Public Safety Canada says it will lead a government-wide effort to develop a comprehensive framework to deal with a wide range of economic-based threats to national security–such as theft of valuable intellectual property and damage to critical energy and information networks.

The announcement comes in response to warnings about the rising danger of hostile nations stealing trade secrets and cyber criminals demanding ransom for sensitive files.

In its newly published plan for the coming year, Public Safety Canada singles out ransomware, the malicious use of software to penetrate a computer system and hold data hostage, as “an increasingly common and indiscriminate threat.”

Public Safety Canada says it’s taking steps to counter security threats to key parts of the economy, such as energy systems.
(THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jacques Boissinot)

Jim Bronskill of The Canadian Press reports that while Public Safety Canada says some measures are underway, the plan says addressing ransomware at the national level will require federal-provincial and private-public co-operation.

Bronskill reports that–among other things–Public Safety Canada is also proposing:

  • Supporting development of a new framework for protection of Canada’s critical cybersystems in the finance, telecommunications, energy and transportation sectors.
  • Creation of a “forward-looking picture” of risk and capabilities through a national risk profile, intended to help ensure resilience to disasters such as floods, wildfires and earthquakes.
  • Development, with other departments and agencies, of a federal risk assessment strategy to promote better coordination across government.

Public Safety Canada says its efforts include working with overseas partners.

“Recognizing the global nature of security challenges and solutions, Public Safety Canada will continue to advance key priorities through bilateral and multilateral engagements with key international partners such as the United States and other Five Eyes countries, and through multilateral fora including the G7 and the United Nations,” it says in the plan.

With files from The Canadian Press (Jim Bronskill), CBC News, RCI

Categories: Economy, Health, Society
Tags:

Do you want to report an error or a typo? Click here!

For reasons beyond our control, and for an undetermined period of time, our comment section is now closed. However, our social networks remain open to your contributions.