Canadian federal police targeted in cyberattack

The incident follows recent disclosures of unauthorised access to personal data in the government, underscoring growing concerns over cybersecurity vulnerabilities in Canada.
Canada flag is depicted on the screen with the program code

Canadian federal police announced on Friday that they had been the target of a cyberattack of ‘alarming’ magnitude.

In a statement to reporters, a spokesperson for the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) emphasised the evolving nature of the situation but reiterated that there had been no disruption to RCMP activities or any identified risk to the security of citizens.

Despite acknowledging the seriousness of the breach, the spokesperson commended the swift response and mitigation measures implemented by the RCMP, emphasising the organisation’s commitment to detecting and thwarting such threats.

The RCMP disclosed that an investigation was underway to ascertain the extent of the breach. However, they clarified that there were no immediate indications of adverse effects on intelligence services.

This announcement follows recent revelations by the Canadian government regarding a data breach in its foreign affairs department, which involved unauthorised access to personal information, including that of employees.

Highlighting the growing threat posed by cyberattacks, Canadian Defence Minister Anita Anand warned last year of the increasing targeting of the country’s critical infrastructure. Such attacks, she emphasised, not only jeopardise national security but also pose a significant risk to the economy of Canada, one of the world’s largest crude oil producers.