Canadian companies open to cyber attacks, says federal agency

Canadian companies open to cyber attacks, says federal agency: Gaps in the cyber security efforts of Canadian corporations could be leaving them open to sophisticated attacks by hackers, records show.

“The current situation is that there are an increasing number of new software vulnerabilities that can be exploited to gain access to companies’ networks,” reads a July 2012 memo obtained from Public Safety Canada under the Access to Information Act.

“The scale of the problem is significant. The cost of maintaining a highly secure network is high for each company, and they may not be willing to make that investment.”

Most Canadian critical infrastructure assets — including electricity distribution networks, banking systems, transportation systems and telecommunications networks — are owned by the private sector or by provincial governments.

Their smooth operation is integral to the country’s economic, political and social well-being, according to a report by the Auditor General of Canada published last fall.