The Canadian Centre for Cyber Security has issued a warning regarding hacktivists who have been interfering with online systems controlling water, energy, and agricultural facilities. Information security officers were alerted to multiple incidents involving internet-accessible industrial control systems, as reported by the Cyber Centre and the RCMP in recent weeks.
One case highlighted in the alert involved tampering with water pressure at an undisclosed facility, leading to disruptions in service to a community. In a separate incident, manipulation of an automated tank gauge at a Canadian oil and gas company resulted in false alarms being triggered.
Additionally, a third incident detailed in the alert described unauthorized adjustments to temperature and humidity levels in a grain-drying silo on a Canadian farm, potentially creating hazardous conditions. The Cyber Centre, a division of the Communications Security Establishment (CSE), emphasized that while specific organizations may not be primary targets, they could be exploited as “victims of opportunity” by hacktivists seeking to attract media attention, undermine organizations, and tarnish Canada’s reputation.
