On Saturday, Canadian Defence Minister Anita Anand warned that cyberattacks on critical infrastructure threatened the world’s fourth-largest crude oil producer’s economy.
After researchers found a Chinese hacking outfit spying on oil and gas pipelines and train systems, the U.S. State Department warned last month that China was capable of cyberattacks.
In an interview on the margins of an Asian security meeting in Singapore, Anand said North America had seen an upsurge in cyberattacks. Still, she did not link them to state-sponsored actors.
“We have seen attacks on critical infrastructure in our country and we are very conscious to advise Canadian organisations and companies to take mitigation measures,” Anand said.
“The risks to our economy and life-saving systems are significant.”
Large oil pipelines in Canada supply worldwide crude. Exxon Mobil (XOM.N) and Royal Dutch Shell (SHEL.L) operate extensively in the country.
Anand spoke at Asia’s largest security gathering, the Shangri-La Dialogue, where US-China tensions have dominated.
Chinese military officials have accused the U.S. and its allies of exploiting the conference to attack Beijing and divide Asia-Pacific nations.
We must watch China. “They’ve become an increasingly disruptive global power,” Anand said of China’s complaints.
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