2011 Canadian government hackings
Encyclopedia
In February 2011, news sources revealed that the Government of Canada
suffered cyber attacks by foreign hackers using IP addresses from China
. The hackers managed to infiltrate three departments within the government and transmit classified information back to them. The attacks resulted in the government cutting off internet access in the departments affected and various responses from both the Canadian government and the Chinese government.
(CSIS) from 2009 was released to the public that warned that cyber attacks on Canadian government, university, and industry computers was showing growth in 2009 and that the threat of cyber attacks was "one of the fastest growing and most complicated issues" facing CSIS. Minister of Public Safety Vic Toews
stated in January 2011 that cyber attacks are a serious threat to Canada and that attacks on government computers have grown "quite substantial." In the fall of 2010 the federal government began to strategize ways to prevent cyber attacks and create response plans, which would include $90 million over five years in combating cyber threats.
Auditor General
Sheila Fraser
has previously warned that the federal government's computer systems risk being breached. In 2002 she stated that the government's internet security was not adequate and warned that it had "weaknesses in the system" and urged improving security to deal with the vulnerabilities. In 2005 she sad the government still has to "translate its policies and standards into consistent, cost-effective practices that will result in a more secure IT environment in departments and agencies."
's computer systems. The hackers were able to enter the computers of senior government executives to steal passwords that could unlock government data systems. Reports of such an attack were also reported on in early February 2011, though the Canadian government did not comment on any events. The following day it was also reported that a third government department, Defence Research and Development Canada
, had also been attacked.
The hackers used servers in China to gain control of some government computers belonging to high ranking officials. The hackers then posed as the officials and sen emails to staff in the respective departments that were attacked, conning the workers into providing passwords used to unlock government networks. In the emails the hackers also attached a memo that, when opened, unleashed a virus into the network that gathers information and sends it back to the source, the hackers.
access in the two departments was shut down to prevent stolen information from being sent back to the hackers. The Prime Minister
's office have only claimed the hackers made an "attempt to access" servers and did not comment further. A spokesman for Treasury Board Minister Stockwell Day
said there were no indications that any data related to Canadians was compromised. CSIS officials have advised the government to not name China as the attacker and not talk about the attacks, while a government official stated Chinese espionage has become a problem for Canada and other countries.
On February 17, Prime Minister Stephen Harper
stated that the government has "a strategy in place to try and evolve our systems as those who would attack them become more sophisticated" and that cyber attacks are "a growing issue of importance, not just in this country, but across the world." The same day, Stockwell Day also stated that the attacks weren't " the most aggressive [attack] but it was a significant one, significant that they were going after financial records."
The Chinese government has denied involvement in the attacks. Foreign Ministry Spokesman Ma Zhaoxu
said at a press conference on February 17 that the Chinese government opposes hacking and other criminal acts, saying that "the allegation that China supports hacking is groundless."
Government of Canada
The Government of Canada, formally Her Majesty's Government, is the system whereby the federation of Canada is administered by a common authority; in Canadian English, the term can mean either the collective set of institutions or specifically the Queen-in-Council...
suffered cyber attacks by foreign hackers using IP addresses from China
People's Republic of China
China , officially the People's Republic of China , is the most populous country in the world, with over 1.3 billion citizens. Located in East Asia, the country covers approximately 9.6 million square kilometres...
. The hackers managed to infiltrate three departments within the government and transmit classified information back to them. The attacks resulted in the government cutting off internet access in the departments affected and various responses from both the Canadian government and the Chinese government.
History
In May 2010 a memo by the Canadian Security Intelligence ServiceCanadian Security Intelligence Service
The Canadian Security Intelligence Service is Canada's national intelligence service. It is responsible for collecting, analyzing, reporting and disseminating intelligence on threats to Canada's national security, and conducting operations, covert and overt, within Canada and abroad.Its...
(CSIS) from 2009 was released to the public that warned that cyber attacks on Canadian government, university, and industry computers was showing growth in 2009 and that the threat of cyber attacks was "one of the fastest growing and most complicated issues" facing CSIS. Minister of Public Safety Vic Toews
Vic Toews
Victor "Vic" Toews, PC QC MP is a Canadian politician. He has represented Provencher in the Canadian House of Commons since 2000, and currently serves in the cabinet of Prime Minister Stephen Harper as Minister of Public Safety. He previously served in the Legislative Assembly of Manitoba from...
stated in January 2011 that cyber attacks are a serious threat to Canada and that attacks on government computers have grown "quite substantial." In the fall of 2010 the federal government began to strategize ways to prevent cyber attacks and create response plans, which would include $90 million over five years in combating cyber threats.
Auditor General
Auditor General of Canada
The role of the Auditor General of Canada is to aid accountability by conducting independent audits of federal government operations. The Auditor General reports to the House of Commons, not to the government...
Sheila Fraser
Sheila Fraser
Sheila Fraser served as Auditor General of Canada from 2001 to 2011.Ms. Fraser was born in Dundee, Quebec, Canada. She earned a Bachelor of Commerce degree from McGill University in 1972. She then became a chartered accountant in 1974 and FCA in 1994...
has previously warned that the federal government's computer systems risk being breached. In 2002 she stated that the government's internet security was not adequate and warned that it had "weaknesses in the system" and urged improving security to deal with the vulnerabilities. In 2005 she sad the government still has to "translate its policies and standards into consistent, cost-effective practices that will result in a more secure IT environment in departments and agencies."
Cyber attack
On February 16, 2011, CBC News discovered that a cyber attack had taken place on some of the federal government's computers the month before. Sources within the government claimed that the attacks are coming from China, though it is not known the attackers really are originating from the country or re-routing through servers in China. The attacks have resulted in penetrating the Finance Department and the Treasury BoardTreasury Board
The Treasury Board is the Government of Canada's only statutory Cabinet committee and is responsible for the federal civil service much of the operation of the Canadian government. Among its specific duties are negotiating labour agreements with the public service unions and serving as Comptroller...
's computer systems. The hackers were able to enter the computers of senior government executives to steal passwords that could unlock government data systems. Reports of such an attack were also reported on in early February 2011, though the Canadian government did not comment on any events. The following day it was also reported that a third government department, Defence Research and Development Canada
Defence Research and Development Canada
Defence Research and Development Canada, also Defence R&D Canada or DRDC , is an agency of the Department of National Defence , whose purpose is to respond to the scientific and technological needs of the Canadian Forces...
, had also been attacked.
The hackers used servers in China to gain control of some government computers belonging to high ranking officials. The hackers then posed as the officials and sen emails to staff in the respective departments that were attacked, conning the workers into providing passwords used to unlock government networks. In the emails the hackers also attached a memo that, when opened, unleashed a virus into the network that gathers information and sends it back to the source, the hackers.
Response
When the attacks were detected internetInternet
The Internet is a global system of interconnected computer networks that use the standard Internet protocol suite to serve billions of users worldwide...
access in the two departments was shut down to prevent stolen information from being sent back to the hackers. The Prime Minister
Prime Minister of Canada
The Prime Minister of Canada is the primary minister of the Crown, chairman of the Cabinet, and thus head of government for Canada, charged with advising the Canadian monarch or viceroy on the exercise of the executive powers vested in them by the constitution...
's office have only claimed the hackers made an "attempt to access" servers and did not comment further. A spokesman for Treasury Board Minister Stockwell Day
Stockwell Day
Stockwell Burt Day, Jr., PC, MP is a former Canadian politician, and a member of the Conservative Party of Canada. He is a former cabinet minister in Alberta, and a former leader of the Canadian Alliance. Day was MP for the riding of Okanagan—Coquihalla in British Columbia and the president of...
said there were no indications that any data related to Canadians was compromised. CSIS officials have advised the government to not name China as the attacker and not talk about the attacks, while a government official stated Chinese espionage has become a problem for Canada and other countries.
On February 17, Prime Minister Stephen Harper
Stephen Harper
Stephen Joseph Harper is the 22nd and current Prime Minister of Canada and leader of the Conservative Party. Harper became prime minister when his party formed a minority government after the 2006 federal election...
stated that the government has "a strategy in place to try and evolve our systems as those who would attack them become more sophisticated" and that cyber attacks are "a growing issue of importance, not just in this country, but across the world." The same day, Stockwell Day also stated that the attacks weren't " the most aggressive [attack] but it was a significant one, significant that they were going after financial records."
The Chinese government has denied involvement in the attacks. Foreign Ministry Spokesman Ma Zhaoxu
Ma Zhaoxu
Ma Zhaoxu is the spokesman for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the People's Republic of China , as well as the director-general of its Information Department.-Biography:...
said at a press conference on February 17 that the Chinese government opposes hacking and other criminal acts, saying that "the allegation that China supports hacking is groundless."