Hacktivists breach Canada’s critical infrastructure, cyber Agency warns

Hacktivists have breached Canada’s critical infrastructure, with the Canadian Centre for Cyber Security warning that several internet-connected industrial control systems were targeted to gain attention and disrupt public safety. According to the Canadian Centre for Cyber Security, incidents affected a water facility, an oil and gas company where an Automated Tank Gauge was manipulated, and a grain drying silo on a Canadian farm where temperature and humidity were altered, potentially creating unsafe conditions.

The alert notes that false alarms and disrupted operations have raised concerns about public safety, and the RCMP has been involved in monitoring the incidents. Hacktivists are described as exploiting internet-facing ICS devices to discredit organisations and harm Canada’s image, while the Cyber Centre emphasises the need for clear responsibilities, better coordination, and stronger protections, especially in water, food, and manufacturing sectors.

Organisations are urged to maintain inventories of internet-connected ICS devices, replace direct exposure with VPNs and two-factor authentication, and conduct regular tabletop exercises to improve detection, response, and coordination.