Global Affairs Canada investigating ‘malicious’ cyberattack and data breach
Advertisement
Read this article for free:
or
Already have an account? Log in here »
To continue reading, please subscribe:
Monthly Digital Subscription
$0 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
*No charge for 4 weeks then price increases to the regular rate of $19.00 plus GST every four weeks. Offer available to new and qualified returning subscribers only. Cancel any time.
Monthly Digital Subscription
$4.75/week*
- Enjoy unlimited reading on winnipegfreepress.com
- Read the E-Edition, our digital replica newspaper
- Access News Break, our award-winning app
- Play interactive puzzles
*Billed as $19 plus GST every four weeks. 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*
*Your next subscription payment will increase by $1.00 and you will be charged $16.99 plus GST for four weeks. After four weeks, your payment will increase to $23.99 plus GST every four weeks.
Read unlimited articles for free today:
or
Already have an account? Log in here »
Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 30/01/2024 (646 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.
OTTAWA – Global Affairs Canada announced Tuesday it is investigating a cyberattack and data breach that has forced it to limit remote access to its networks.
The department said in a statement, which confirmed earlier media reports, that early results from the investigation found someone accessed the personal information of employees.
Global Affairs said it shut down remote access to its networks within Canada on Jan. 24, following the discovery of what it describes as “malicious cyber activity.”
Employees working within Global Affairs buildings have full access to the network, while employees working remotely have been given “workarounds” to allow them to keep working.
The federal department that manages Canada’s foreign affairs, including its overseas embassies, consulates and high commissions, said that its critical services and communication channels have remained “accessible and operational.”
Shared Services Canada and the Canadian Centre for Cyber Security are involved in the investigation.
“Early results indicate there has been a data breach and that there has been unauthorized access to personal information of users including employees,” the statement said, adding that the department will contact those affected.
The department said it regularly monitors its network security and has informed the federal privacy commissioner about the breach.
It said that it wouldn’t share more information on specific details “for operational and security reasons.”
Global Affairs Canada experienced another “cyber incident” that stopped access to some online services in January 2022.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Jan. 30, 2024.