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Post: Ontario Cyberattacks – Highlights – Wake-up Canada

ATTENTION: CSIS please stop the internal office battles and stand on guard for thee.

Ontario Cyberattacks – Highlights – Wake-up Canada. Cyberattacks targeting public entities are increasingly frequent, with notable occurrences affecting the City of Hamilton, the Toronto Public Library, and The Toronto Zoo, among other Ontario-based hospitals, municipalities, and educational institutions. On February 26, 2024, the City of Hamilton disclosed it was managing an active cybersecurity breach, leading to disruptions in several municipal IT services. The breach impacted the Hamilton Street Railway (HRS), though bus services continued as scheduled despite outages affecting the transit system’s app, email, and phone services. The city has yet to determine the extent of data compromised and is cautious about disclosing details during the ongoing investigation. It plans to implement further preventive measures once systems are restored.

Ontario Cyberattacks – Highlights – Wake-up Canada

On October 23, a cyberattack exposed personal details of employees, including social security numbers and ID copies, with the library’s digital services and some physical services hampered for an extended period. The Toronto Zoo revealed in January that an attack had compromised the personal information of staff members dating back to 1989. Similarly, a cyberattack in November temporarily disabled the York Region District School Board’s network, affecting Wi-Fi, email, and phone services, with employee and clinician personal information stolen from Michael Garron Hospital during an October breach.

The Crown corporation experienced a January 2023 cyberattack, momentarily affecting its digital platforms without hindering physical store operations. In December 2022, LockBit, a notorious ransomware group identified by the FBI, targeted a children’s hospital but later apologized and offered to decrypt the affected data. The Durham District School Board and the Toronto Transit Commission (TTC) also faced significant cyber incidents, disrupting online learning and customer services, respectively. The Peel District School Board’s website was taken down by an attack in January 2021, blocking access to certain systems and files, though no sensitive information was reportedly breached. In June 2021, a malware attack prompted a hospital to declare a “Code Grey,” shutting down its extensive computer network, including patient record systems. York University also dealt with a cyberattack in May 2020, corrupting several servers and workstations, with rapid response mitigating further damage.

As global dynamics shift and the US dollar’s dominance wanes, we find ourselves in an era where China, Russia, and Iran have formed a strong alliance. In this new landscape, China commands 80% of the electric vehicle market, illustrating its growing economic influence. Meanwhile, the US has often involved Canada in various international conflicts. Given these changes, it seems plausible that we are facing digital attacks as part of the broader geopolitical tensions.

About the Author: Bernard Aybout (Virii8)

I am a dedicated technology enthusiast with over 45 years of life experience, passionate about computers, AI, emerging technologies, and their real-world impact. As the founder of my personal blog, MiltonMarketing.com, I explore how AI, health tech, engineering, finance, and other advanced fields leverage innovation—not as a replacement for human expertise, but as a tool to enhance it. My focus is on bridging the gap between cutting-edge technology and practical applications, ensuring ethical, responsible, and transformative use across industries. MiltonMarketing.com is more than just a tech blog—it's a growing platform for expert insights. We welcome qualified writers and industry professionals from IT, AI, healthcare, engineering, HVAC, automotive, finance, and beyond to contribute their knowledge. If you have expertise to share in how AI and technology shape industries while complementing human skills, join us in driving meaningful conversations about the future of innovation. 🚀