Feds commit $155M to boost cyber security
Vic Toews, Canada's Public Safety Minister, speaks to the media at Algonquin College in Ottawa Oct 17, 2012. (ANDRE FORGET/QMI AGENCY)
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OTTAWA — Public Safety Minister Vic Toews is warning Canadians their cyber security is at risk and is channelling federal money to beef up defences.
But the minister refused to name-and-shame our enemies lurking in cyberspace.
On Wednesday, Toews announced $155-million over five years to shore up the government's IT infrastructure and improve its capability to track and stop cyber attacks.
"Businesses and governments want to ensure critical infrastructure and services in Canada are not disrupted and sensitive commercial information - information that often translates into jobs for Canadians - is fully protected," he said, adding Canada is also expanding its collaboration with the U.S. on the issue.
U.S. Defence Secretary Leon Panetta recently warned his country was at risk of a "cyber-Pearl Harbor" attack on its networks, with his officials later pointing to China, Iran and Russia as major sources of potential danger.
Earlier this month, a U.S. congressional committee singled out Chinese telecom giants Huawei - which operates in Canada - and ZTE as posing cyber espionage threats.
But the Conservative government has kept mum one who is behind recent cyber breaches in Canada.
"There's no question some countries are more of a threat than others," Toews said.
"(But) I don't think that's going to serve any particular purpose for me calling out any particular country at this time. I'm certainly aware of where threats come from and we're constantly being briefed by our allies on developments in that respect."
Interim Liberal Leader Bob Rae called on Toews to discuss cyber security in a "transparent" way.
"No one should be shy about identifying these criminals," he said.
Both the Canadian treasury board and finance departments had a massive security breach in 2011 - among the 80 data breaches of its computers reported by the feds last year. The attacks were linked to serves based in China.
Security analysts maintain failed telecom Nortel was the victim of cyber espionage from the Chinese.
Telvent - an energy industry giant in Alberta - also recently admitted to being hacked, an attack linked by some experts to the Chinese.
But the minister refused to name-and-shame our enemies lurking in cyberspace.
On Wednesday, Toews announced $155-million over five years to shore up the government's IT infrastructure and improve its capability to track and stop cyber attacks.
"Businesses and governments want to ensure critical infrastructure and services in Canada are not disrupted and sensitive commercial information - information that often translates into jobs for Canadians - is fully protected," he said, adding Canada is also expanding its collaboration with the U.S. on the issue.
U.S. Defence Secretary Leon Panetta recently warned his country was at risk of a "cyber-Pearl Harbor" attack on its networks, with his officials later pointing to China, Iran and Russia as major sources of potential danger.
Earlier this month, a U.S. congressional committee singled out Chinese telecom giants Huawei - which operates in Canada - and ZTE as posing cyber espionage threats.
But the Conservative government has kept mum one who is behind recent cyber breaches in Canada.
"There's no question some countries are more of a threat than others," Toews said.
"(But) I don't think that's going to serve any particular purpose for me calling out any particular country at this time. I'm certainly aware of where threats come from and we're constantly being briefed by our allies on developments in that respect."
Interim Liberal Leader Bob Rae called on Toews to discuss cyber security in a "transparent" way.
"No one should be shy about identifying these criminals," he said.
Both the Canadian treasury board and finance departments had a massive security breach in 2011 - among the 80 data breaches of its computers reported by the feds last year. The attacks were linked to serves based in China.
Security analysts maintain failed telecom Nortel was the victim of cyber espionage from the Chinese.
Telvent - an energy industry giant in Alberta - also recently admitted to being hacked, an attack linked by some experts to the Chinese.
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