Anita Anand, Canada’s minister of defense, stated on Saturday that the essential infrastructure of the nation was increasingly the target of cyberattacks, posing a serious threat to the economy of the fourth-largest crude oil producer in the world.
After researchers found that a Chinese hacking outfit had been snooping on such networks, the U.S. State Department issued a warning last month that China was capable of launching cyberattacks against oil and gas pipelines and train systems.
Anand said there had been an uptick in cyberattacks in North America in an interview she gave on the margins of an Asian security meeting in Singapore, however she did not link the attacks to any state-sponsored entities.
“We have seen attacks on critical infrastructure in our country and we are very conscious to advise Canadian organisations and Canadian companies to take mitigation measures,” Anand said.
“The risks can be substantial to our economy and systems that are protecting the lives of our citizens.”
Numerous sizable oil pipelines in Canada are crucial for the supply of crude oil around the world. Exxon Mobil and Royal Dutch Shell are two multinational energy corporations with sizable interests there.
Rising tensions between the United States and China have dominated the Shangri-La Dialogue, Asia’s biggest security gathering, where Anand was addressing.
Chinese military leaders claim that the United States and its allies are conspiring against Beijing at the conference and causing strife in the Asia-Pacific region.
“We have to be eyes wide open on China. They have become an increasingly disruptive global power,” Anand said when asked about China’s complaints.
Source: Reuters
