The head of the Canadian Centre for Cybersecurity says ransomware attacks are becoming more frequent and sophisticated - but there is a lot Canada can do to better protect itself.
See also: APT41: Targets mobile devices with WyrmSpy and DragonEgg spyware
While ransomware attackers used to break into systems and take control, Khoury has noticed that many have changed their methods.
Instead of breaking into systems and demanding cash just to get back control, Khoury found that many attackers are now focusing on stealing data and other sensitive information that they can threaten to release or sell.
Such incidents have become so common that Khoury considers cybercrime, including ransomware, to be the No. 1 cybersecurity threat facing the country.
Book retailer Indigo, grocery store Sobeys, oil and gas producer Suncor Energy Inc. and Toronto hospital Hospital for Sick Children have all fallen victim to ransomware attacks over the past year.
Khoury counted about 305 ransomware reports to the Canadian Centre for Cybersecurity last year, up from about 295 the year before.
See also: Palo Alto Networks: Top cybersecurity threats
The actual number of attacks is likely much higher, because it has realized that many organizations are embarrassed to report that they have been affected by cybercrime.
Khoury argues that reporting is essential. The more incidents the Canadian Centre for Cyber Security knows about, the more specifically it can tailor its advice and guidance, and the more information it can gather about who might be behind an attackso it can be stopped.
It also urges organizations to better protect themselves from cyberattacksby using stronger, different passwords, installing multi-factor authentication on accounts, and educating themselves about security risks.
See also: Scammers target students with fake jobs
These steps, he said, are key to combating not only cybercrime, but also attacks on critical infrastructure, the dangers posed by nation-states threatening Canada , and rampant disinformation.
Their importance has grown over the past year as geopolitical unrest increases and key infrastructure, such as pipelines, increasingly become targets.
Despite the influx of threats and the number of security issues occupying the public's attention these days, Khoury said Canadians should not feel pessimistic about the battle against cyber attackers.
Information source: cp24.com
