A new federal report predicts that in the coming months, Russian intelligence and police will help cybercriminals crack down on their targets abroad — including Canada, of course — with “almost complete impunity.”

The Canadian intelligence agency’s new assessment shows that Russia, and to a lesser extent Iran, are most likely havens from which cybercriminals operate against Western targets.

These cybercrime predictions are the latest assessment from the Canadian Center for Cyber ​​Security with support from the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP).

According to the report, ransomware — malware that takes vital digital information hostage in order to extort ransom — is probably the most disruptive form of cybercrime Canada faces because it is pervasive and can have a severe impact on how its victims function.

For this reason, Canadian authorities believe that for-profit cybercriminals will most likely continue to attack critical infrastructure around the world for the next two years. Organized groups can generate large sums of money thanks to their specialized technical capacities, especially the development of custom malware.

Virtual attacks, real consequences

Some forms of cybercrime, including ransomware, affect victims financially and physically, the report also states. “For example, some hospitals that have been victims of cybercrime have reported that the incidents have impacted care, resulting in longer patient stays in the hospital, delays in medical evaluations or procedures, and in some cases complications following medical procedures, with increased cases the mortality rate. »

The report adds that cybercrime can also disrupt the distribution of essential goods and services due to its impact on the supply chain. For example, a ransomware attack on Colonial Pipeline in May 2021 is cited as the cause of the closure of the largest fuel pipelines in the United States, “resulting in rising fuel prices and fuel shortages for millions of people.”

Cyber ​​criminals are constantly developing new tactics to maximize their profits, the report states. “As the attack surface has expanded, cybercrime has become more complex, from online theft and credit card fraud to more sophisticated extortion methods,” the report said.

“The increasing interconnectedness of the modern global economy and the increasing dependence of victims on technology provide cybercriminals and cybercriminals with ever more opportunities. »

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