JAKARTA – Canadian companies and business entities operating in critical infrastructure sectors will be required to report cyber attacks to the federal government. They will also have to strengthen their cyber systems under a new law introduced on Tuesday, June 14.
The law identifies the financial, telecommunications, energy and transportation sectors as vital to national security and public safety. But the Canadian government did not name any companies.
"There has been a lot of thought given to identifying which sectors are vital to national security and public safety," said Minister of Public Security, Marco Mendicino, as quoted by Reuters. He also added that critical infrastructure operators would be identified after consultation with the sectors.
The new law will also give Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's government broader powers to safeguard the country's telecommunications systems from cybersecurity threats.
"This new law ... will help the public and private sectors better protect themselves from cyber attacks," Mendicino said.
Faster networks like 5G have helped Canada's critical infrastructure sector become more interconnected and integrated. But they are also more vulnerable to newer forms of cyberthreats.
According to a senior Canadian official, hacking incidents have been on the rise in recent times. But they still don't report it because companies are not required to do so under current law, which requires them to report cyber attacks when they happen.
Bill C-26, which has yet to be debated or passed, would also prohibit telecommunications companies from using high-risk suppliers' products and services.
The statement did not name any companies. But Canada last month banned the use of 5G equipment made by Huawei Technologies Co Ltd and ZTE Corp to protect national security. They join the United States, Britain, Australia and New Zealand, which have banned the equipment from China.
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