CSIS in 2023... what a year for the history books, eh!?
2023 Canadian Security Intelligence Service (CSIS) | Service canadien du renseignement de sécurité (SCRS) report emphasizes the need for discussions on protecting Canadian businesses from research theft and enhancing economic security through better information sharing. The unauthorized disclosure of intelligence products led to heightened awareness of foreign interference in Canada's affairs. The involvement of hostile state actors like Russia, China, and Iran highlights the persistent challenges faced by Canada.
The report underscores the necessity of security partnerships among democratic nations to counteract the activities of authoritarian states.
It emphasizes that national security concerns every individual, from entrepreneurs facing economic espionage to activists targeted by regimes for speaking out. National security is portrayed as a collective effort, requiring trust and transparency from all Canadians. In the fall of 2023, CSIS and the Government of Canada initiated a public consultation on the CSIS Act to address evolving threats.
Despite the challenges of 2023, CSIS employees demonstrated resilience and dedication to protecting Canada's national security and its people.
CYBERSECURITY and CSIS
The report highlights the importance of cybersecurity and geopolitics in the context of the current threat environment to Canada. The report also provides an overview of CSIS' role in investigating and reducing cyber threats to Canada, as well as the impact of geopolitics on cybersecurity.
1. Cybersecurity threats to Canada include espionage, sabotage, and foreign influence activities.
2. CSIS actively works to investigate and reduce these threats, utilizing a variety of investigative techniques.
3. CSIS provides high-quality intelligence assessments to government partners and shares them with trusted foreign partners.
4. CSIS takes steps to reduce cyber threats to critical infrastructure using its threat reduction mandate.
5. The impact of geopolitics on cybersecurity has become more evident, with wars fought in the physical and cyber realms.
6. Ransomware is a significant threat to Canada, with financial and operational impacts.
7. Information warfare continues to be a high-profile cyber threat targeting sensitive sectors and individuals.
8. State-based cyber threats are a significant concern, with the People's Republic of China, Russia, and Iran being major targets.
9. Indigenous groups and vulnerable populations are targeted by cyber actors.
10. The use of ransomware and related techniques to target critical infrastructure, including hospitals, as highlighted by the recent disinformation campaign involving the PRC.