Canada's Cyber Centre warned that hacktivists are increasingly targeting internet-accessible industrial control systems across the country. Recent attacks hit a water facility (manipulating pressure values), an oil and gas company (triggering false alarms), and a farm grain silo (altering temperature controls).
The agency received multiple incident reports in recent weeks, with cyber incidents affecting operational technology systems jumping from 49% to 73% in 2024. Hacktivists exploit these vulnerabilities to gain media attention and damage Canada's reputation.
The Cyber Centre urges organizations to inventory all internet-accessible systems, implement VPNs with two-factor authentication where possible, and enhance monitoring practices. Clear coordination between federal, provincial, and municipal governments is essential to protect critical infrastructure.
Source: Industrial Cyber