Cybersecurity centre warns of ‘sophisticated’ threat targeting Cisco equipment

Advertisement

Advertise with us

OTTAWA - The federal cybersecurity centre is urging Canadian organizations to "take immediate action" against malware targeting computer systems through Cisco Systems devices.

Read this article for free:


or

Already have an account? Log in here »

To continue reading, please subscribe:

Subscribe and receive a limited-edition Free Press branded hat or tote.

Digital Subscription

One year of digital access for only $205*

  • Enjoy unlimited reading on winnipegfreepress.com
  • Read the E-Edition, our digital replica newspaper
  • Access News Break, our award-winning app
  • Play interactive puzzles

*First annual payment billed as $205.00 + GST for one year. This annual subscription will automatically renew at $233.00 + GST every 52 weeks (10% off the regular annual price of $259.35). Offer available to new and qualified returning subscribers only. Cancel any time.

To continue reading, please subscribe:

Add Free Press access to your Brandon Sun subscription for only an additional

$1 for the first 4 weeks*

  • Enjoy unlimited reading on winnipegfreepress.com
  • Read the E-Edition, our digital replica newspaper
  • Access News Break, our award-winning app
  • Play interactive puzzles
Start now

*Your next Brandon Sun subscription payment will increase by $1.00 and you will be charged $17.95 plus GST for four weeks. After four weeks, your payment will increase to $24.95 plus GST every four weeks.

Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 25/09/2025 (339 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

OTTAWA – The federal cybersecurity centre is urging Canadian organizations to “take immediate action” against malware targeting computer systems through Cisco Systems devices.

The Canadian Centre for Cyber Security says it is aware of threat activity involving “highly sophisticated” malware against Cisco ASA 5500-X Series devices.

The centre says these devices are commonly used by organizations across Canada.

A woman uses a keyboard in North Vancouver, B.C., Wednesday, Dec. 19, 2012. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jonathan Hayward
A woman uses a keyboard in North Vancouver, B.C., Wednesday, Dec. 19, 2012. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jonathan Hayward

It stresses that timing is crucial when such vulnerabilities are identified, and organizations should apply appropriate patches immediately.

The centre says the threat activity in question involves advanced techniques to avoid detection, making the dangers difficult to identify through conventional means.

It says organizations that might be affected should call 1-833-CYBER-88 or message officials at contact@cyber.gc.ca as soon as possible.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Sept. 25, 2025.

Report Error Submit a Tip

More Stories

Security guard in stable condition after grocery store assault

Scott Billeck 2 minute read Preview

Security guard in stable condition after grocery store assault

Scott Billeck 2 minute read Updated: 12:35 PM CDT

A security guard was taken to hospital after an assault at a Sargent Avenue FreshCo Friday, just days after another guard was stabbed during a robbery at a St. James Dollarama.

Winnipeg police said officers were called to a store in the 600 block of Sargent Avenue shortly after 1 p.m. for a report of an assault.

An adult victim was taken to hospital in stable condition. Police did not provide details about what led to the assault or whether any arrests were made.

The incident comes three days after a 22-year-old security guard was stabbed during a robbery at a Dollarama in the Courts of St. James.

Read
Updated: 12:35 PM CDT

Impact of Winnipeg hoops giant Laping went well beyond coaching

Joshua Frey-Sam 7 minute read Preview

Impact of Winnipeg hoops giant Laping went well beyond coaching

Joshua Frey-Sam 7 minute read Yesterday at 5:37 PM CDT

In life, few connected with others like Jeff Laping.

A legendary high school basketball coach and influential educator for more than 30 years, he was a figurative giant in Winnipeg’s hoops community with an innate ability to resonate with anyone he met.

Laping was a best friend to many, a confidant to others, and a mentor to even more.

He died on Monday, one week after suffering from cardiac arrest.

Read
Yesterday at 5:37 PM CDT

‘Last chance’ clearance U.S. booze punted from Liquor Marts

Carol Sanders 5 minute read Preview

‘Last chance’ clearance U.S. booze punted from Liquor Marts

Carol Sanders 5 minute read Thursday, Aug. 27, 2026

American alcohol that returned to Manitoba Liquor Mart shelves in May as part of a “last chance” sale is headed back to storage or will be destroyed.

“We are removing U.S. liquor products from Liquor Mart shelves,” a spokesperson for Manitoba Liquor and Lotteries said Thursday. The Crown corporation had been pushing to off-load its stockpile of U.S. booze.

Premier Wab Kinew launched a provincewide boycott of American alcohol in March 2025 to fight back against tariffs imposed by U.S. President Donald Trump. Manitoba Liquor and Lotteries has not placed new orders since the boycott began, but it still had inventory.

As of early May, the U.S. inventory had a value of roughly $3.4 million, which is roughly one-third of what was removed from shelves and placed in storage, Manitoba Liquor and Lotteries has said. It was unable to provide an inventory update on Thursday.

Read
Thursday, Aug. 27, 2026

Of frogs, roses, kings and a Great Lake

Editorial 4 minute read Preview

Of frogs, roses, kings and a Great Lake

Editorial 4 minute read 2:01 AM CDT

A rose by any other name would smell as sweet, as the saying goes. Basically, if you change something’s name, you don’t actually change the nature of the thing.

That being said, if even 15 years ago an American president had called an entire news conference to announce he was renaming one of the Great Lakes by writing on a map with a red pen and issuing an executive order purporting to rename Lake Ontario as “Lake America,” all and sundry would question his mental health.

Maybe, after witnessing so much from Donald Trump, we’ve all just been hardened off and the foolish is now expected daily. Perhaps it’s the political equivalent of the fable of the boiling frog.

As the fable goes, drop a frog into a pot of boiling water and it will jump right out. But put the frog in room temperature water and bring the pot to a boil, the frog will stay until its death. (It’s unlikely the frog would actually wait.)

Read
2:01 AM CDT

Hydro announces CEO out after two years

Chris Kitching 6 minute read Preview

Hydro announces CEO out after two years

Chris Kitching 6 minute read Updated: Yesterday at 9:09 PM CDT

Allan Danroth is out as Manitoba Hydro’s president and CEO — a departure that came as a surprise to some observers — just two years after he was hired.

Danroth left for personal reasons, the Crown corporation’s board chair, Jamie Wilson, said Friday, while announcing chief operating officer Hal Turner as interim president and CEO ahead of a national and international search for a replacement.

“Today’s one of those days where you have a lot of mixed emotions,” Turner told reporters at Hydro’s downtown Winnipeg headquarters. “I just want to say on behalf of all the employees in Manitoba Hydro, we very much appreciate Allan’s leadership over the last two years.”

Turner wouldn’t say whether he will apply to be the next permanent CEO.

Read
Updated: Yesterday at 9:09 PM CDT

Premier, mayor voice support for decision to end police officers’ OT retail-security shifts

Chris Kitching 6 minute read Preview

Premier, mayor voice support for decision to end police officers’ OT retail-security shifts

Chris Kitching 6 minute read Thursday, Aug. 27, 2026

Premier Wab Kinew and Mayor Scott Gillingham are backing the police chief’s decision to end the option for officers to work overtime shifts providing security at retail stores.

Read
Thursday, Aug. 27, 2026