N.S. government to contact people impacted by cybersecurity breach
Nova Scotia’s government and cybersecurity experts are working to get to the bottom of a breach that still isn't fully understood.
"This is potentially quite damaging in terms of the sensitivity of the information that could be moved around,” said David Shipley, a cybersecurity expert based in Fredericton and founder of Beauceron Security.
Shipley said the third-party software service that the breach occurred through, called MoveIt, has been a hot target for cybercriminals, and this is the third major wave of attack it has suffered since December 2020.
"This morning, Microsoft came out and has attributed this attack to a group that it calls Lace Tempest,” Shipley said. “It's also known as the Clop Ransomware gang or fin11. This is an active group, they know what they're doing."
Shipley said now the question is what kinds of personal information might they have accessed.
"Was there detailed medical information about me that was lost?” he said. “Diagnoses, prognoses, diagnostic imaging. Those are going to be important questions to ask."
"I certainly do not want to speculate at this time as our investigation is still ongoing,” said Nova Scotia Cybersecurity Minister Colton Leblanc.
Leblanc said government also still doesn't know how many Nova Scotians have been impacted, but said those affected will be contacted.
In the meantime, they've set up a privacy breach alerts and information webpage to help people beware of any further scammers.
"We do not want Nova Scotians to believe that when government contacts them, that we'll be soliciting them for any personal information,” Leblanc said. “So all of those types of details are clearly outlined online."
It's not the first time something like this has happened.
For instance, in August 2020, Nova Scotia’s Department of Health contacted 211 people whose personal information was inappropriately accessed.
"I do think they are following best practices and being transparent, and I think we need to give them time now to make sure the incident is contained, understand the scope of it and communicate with those who are unfortunately impacted,” Shipley said.
For now, MoveIt has been taken offline on all government services.
For the latest Nova Scotia news, visit our dedicated provincial page.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Canadian gov't proposes new foreign influence registry as part of wide-spanning new bill
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's government is proposing a suite of new measures and law changes aimed at countering foreign interference in Canada, amid extensive scrutiny over past meddling attempts and an ever-evolving threat landscape.
Boeing Starliner capsule's first crewed test flight postponed
The long-awaited first crewed test flight of Boeing's new Starliner space capsule was called off for at least 24 hours over a technical issue that launch teams were unable to resolve in time for the planned Monday night lift-off.
Teacher charged in historical sexual assault of Calgary teenage girl
Calgary police have charged a teacher with the alleged sexual assault of a teenage girl more than 20 years ago.
Winnipeg man admits to killing four women, argues he's not criminally responsible
Defence lawyers of Jeremy Skibicki have admitted in court the accused killed four Indigenous women, but argues he is not criminally responsible for the deaths by way of mental disorder – this latest development has triggered a judge-alone trial rather than a jury trial.
Man banned from owning animals after fatal Calgary dog attack
The owner of three Calgary dogs that got loose and mauled a woman to death in 2022 has been ordered to pay a $15,000 fine within one year and banned from owning any animal for 15 years.
East-end Ottawa family dealing with massive rat infestation
Residents in Ottawa’s Elmridge Gardens complex are dealing with a rat infestation that just won’t go away. Now, after doing everything they can to try to fix the issue, they are pleading with the city to step in and help.
Mediterranean staple may lower your risk of death from dementia, study finds
A daily spoonful of olive oil could lower your risk of dying from dementia, according to a new study by Harvard scientists.
An El Nino-less summer is coming. Here's what that could mean for Canada
As Canadians brace themselves for summer temperatures, forecasters say a weakening El Nino cycle doesn’t mean relief from the heat.
Newfoundland and Labrador latest province to tighten rules on Airbnbs
Newfoundland and Labrador is the latest jurisdiction to bring in stricter rules for short-term rentals, with a coming set of regulations that will force operators to register with the provincial government.