Canadian Cybersecurity Chief Highlights Urgent Need for Stronger Collaboration with U.S. to Protect Against Hackers
The head of the Canadian Centre for Cyber Security, Sami Khoury, emphasized the critical importance of ongoing collaboration between Canada and the United States in the realm of cybersecurity. Speaking at an international cybersecurity summit in Washington, D.C., Khoury stressed the need for the two nations to work closely together to fortify cyber defenses.
According to Khoury, Canada and the U.S. have become essential partners in safeguarding the continent against cyber threats, and he anticipates that this collaboration will continue to grow. However, despite the increasing danger posed by ransomware, foreign interference, and hostile nation-states, Khoury expressed concerns that individuals and businesses are not taking the risks seriously.
Khoury revealed that the only thing that keeps him up at night is the potential disregard for the Cyber Centre’s alerts and advice due to cost constraints or apathy. He highlighted the fact that outdated software vulnerabilities are still being exploited, indicating that computer systems are not being updated as they should be.
While acknowledging that system updates can be costly, Khoury stressed that failing to update leaves networks vulnerable and exposes individuals and organizations to potential harm that could result in even greater financial losses.
Small and medium-sized businesses are particularly at risk, especially as larger companies, especially those operating critical infrastructure, bolster their defenses. Khoury emphasized that these businesses play an essential role in society, and it is crucial for them to take cybersecurity seriously. Cybercriminals tend to exploit any opportunity they find, and if smaller businesses become vulnerable targets, they will not hesitate to strike.
During his visit to Washington, Khoury met with American counterparts, Canadian Embassy officials, and participated in the Billington Cybersecurity Summit, which attracts experts from around the world. He took part in panels addressing threats to global supply chains and the growing importance of international collaboration in defending against such threats, which are of particular interest to Canada.
The long-standing defense and intelligence ties between Canada and the U.S. now extend to cybersecurity, given the extent to which critical infrastructure, including pipelines, power lines, transportation corridors, and financial exchanges, traverse the Canada-U.S. border. Khoury emphasized that it is in both countries’ collective interests to align their cybersecurity efforts in assessing threats, as the infrastructure on both sides of the border is interconnected.
One example of a significant threat occurred in May when agencies from the Five Eyes intelligence alliance, including the Cyber Centre, raised an alarm about state-sponsored hackers from China targeting a critical U.S. infrastructure. In another instance, reports surfaced about hackers based in Russia successfully breaching Canada’s natural gas distribution network, underscoring the gravity of the situation. Notably, in 2021, a ransomware attack forced a six-day shutdown of the Colonial pipeline, leading to nationwide fuel shortages in the U.S.
Khoury pointed out that hackers often target infrastructure systems due to the devastating effects such attacks can have and the value of gaining access to commercial intelligence. Additionally, cybercriminals associated with nation-states target these systems to wait for opportune moments to launch attacks aligned with geopolitical developments.
To effectively combat cyber threats, Khoury stressed the need to continually remind individuals and companies about the reality and seriousness of the risks. Organizations must invest in building resilience, remain vigilant about their networks and activities, and take cybersecurity seriously.
In the rapidly evolving cybersecurity landscape, Canada and the United States must continue their collaborative efforts to counter hackers and protect their critical systems. As the threat landscape expands, ongoing cooperation and integration will become even more crucial to strengthening cyber defenses on both sides of the border.
