B.C. Premier David Eby announced on Wednesday that the government has detected “sophisticated cybersecurity incidents” targeting government networks. The province is currently collaborating with the Canadian Centre for Cyber Security to investigate the extent of the cyberattacks and implement necessary safety measures.
As of now, there is no evidence suggesting that sensitive information has been compromised in the attack. However, the investigation is ongoing, and efforts are being made to determine if any data has been accessed. Premier Eby did not disclose which specific systems were affected or the amount of data that may have been compromised.
The Office of the Information and Privacy Commissioner has been informed about the cyberattack, and Eby assured the public that updates will be provided as the investigation progresses. Last week, the province’s chief information officer instructed public service employees to change their passwords to safeguard government email systems, although this measure was not directly related to the recent cyber incidents.
The news of the cyberattack follows similar cybersecurity breaches at London Drugs and the B.C. Libraries Co-operative. London Drugs temporarily closed its stores in response to a cyberattack, while the Libraries Co-operative faced a hacker threatening to release user data unless a ransom was paid.
Premier Eby emphasized the government’s commitment to prioritizing the protection of data and networks, acknowledging the growing seriousness of cybersecurity threats in the modern world. The investigation into the recent cyber incidents is ongoing, with efforts focused on ensuring the security of government systems.