CSE officially published the third iteration of the National Cyber Threat Assessment. The 2023-24 NCTA highlights the cyber threats facing individuals and organizations in Canada and how these threats will evolve in the coming years. The following are some key findings that have come out of the report this year:
- The state-sponsored cyber programs of China, Russia, Iran, and North Korea continue to pose the most significant strategic threats to Canada. Other states can be risks as well to a lesser extent: e.g. India, Pakistan, and Saudi Arabia.
- Nation states are increasingly willing and able to use misinformation, disinformation and malinformation (?) (MDM) to advance their geopolitical interests.
- State-sponsored actors target critical infrastructure to collect information through espionage, pre-positioning in case of future hostilities and as a form of power projection and intimidation.
- Cybercriminals deploying ransomware have evolved in a growing and sophisticated cybercrime ecosystem and will continue to adapt to maximize cybercrime profits.
- Digital assets, such as cryptocurrencies and decentralized finance, are targets and tools for cyber threat actors to enable malicious cyber threat activity.
Read the report to learn more.
Cyber Perspectives from the Minister
Over the last two years, cyber security has become a top concern for Canadians. Ransomware incidents hit the headlines on an almost daily basis both in Canada and around the world. Our essential services are being disrupted, from hospitals and schools to municipalities and utility providers. Our personal and financial data are being stolen, traded, or leaked online. Our online spaces are being flooded with false information and divisive rhetoric.
The National Cyber Threat Assessment 2023-2024 will help Canadians understand current cyber security trends, and how they are likely to evolve.
The Cyber Center has provided an overview of the cyber threat landscape that is both thorough and accessible. The NCTA is especially helpful for Canadian decision-makers as the focus is on cyber threats most relevant to Canada. In addition to public reporting, the NCTA also benefits from CSE’s classified sources and from the Cyber Centre’s work defending the Government of Canada from malicious cyber activity day in day out. In short, this information is both credible and comprehensive.
As technology continues to accelerate with rapid speed, threats also continue to evolve. The Cyber Centre is working hard to bolster cyber security capabilities across Canada, in partnership with industry, academia and all levels of government.
It will take a coordinated effort to make Canada one of the safest places to live and work online. The Cyber Centre’s work will protect Canadians and help ensure we are prepared to act, adapt, and react to cyber threats.
The Honourable Anita Anand
Minister of National Defence
Cybersecurity is not something you should spend less money on than you do on your coffee budget.