Key Cyber Security Threats from Communications Security Establishment Canada (CSE) Annual Report 2023–2024:
📎 State-Sponsored Cyber Activities:
China and Russia: Major threats include cyber espionage, political interference, and attacks on critical infrastructure.
PRC: Focused on political interference, economic espionage, and infrastructure attacks.
Russia: Targeting allies of Ukraine with operational technology compromises and DDoS attacks.
📎 Cyber Threats to Democracy
Election Interference: Increased risk of cyber attacks using AI-generated content to influence voters and disrupt elections.
Influence Campaigns: Hack-and-leak operations and disinformation are more common than direct voting infrastructure attacks. PRC and Russia are the main perpetrators.
📎 Cybercrime
Ransomware: Persistent threat from groups like ALPHV/BlackCat and TA505/Cl0p. Ransomware is highly disruptive, especially in critical sectors.
Safe Havens: Russia and Iran provide environments where cybercriminals operate with impunity.
📎 AI and Disinformation
Generative AI: Used to create disinformation, deepfakes, and sophisticated phishing attacks, posing a significant threat to detection and defense efforts.
Election Influence: AI is increasingly used to manipulate electoral processes and public opinion.
📎 Critical Infrastructure Threats
Oil and Gas Sector: High risk from cyber attacks, particularly ransomware, highlighting the need for robust defenses.
📎 Mitigation and Response
Proactive Measures: Deployment of sensors, threat intelligence sharing, and cyber security guidance.
International Collaboration: Working with Five Eyes and other partners to defend against global threats.
Public Awareness: Campaigns to combat disinformation and provide cyber security best practices.
The Communications Security Establishment Canada | Centre de la sécurité des télécommunications Canada report underscores the evolving cyber threat landscape and the necessity for coordinated defense strategies to protect #nationalsecurity, #democracy, and #criticalinfrastructure.