The City is increasing security of its computer and digital systems to curb hackers.
The City of Toronto is increasing security of its computer and digital systems in light of cyberattacks that crippled the City of Hamilton and Town of Huntsville.
City staff are trying to prevent similar cyberattacks that also brought down computer systems and briefly shut the Toronto Public Library, Toronto Zoo and the TTC; possibly exposing data of residents to cyber crooks.
In two cases hackers stole personal information about employees working at the Public Library and Zoo, which said stolen information included past earnings information, social insurance numbers, birthdates, telephone numbers and home addresses.
City council will vote on May 14 to give its Chief Information Security Office a mandate to conduct, increase and prevent cyberattacks of all its boards, agencies and corporations to prevent criminals from stealing data or holding them for ransom.
The Lakeshore Arena is one of dozens of City agencies in which online security will be beefed up.
The Lakeshore Arena, also known as the Ford Performance Centre, on Kipling Avenue, is one of about 40 Toronto boards, agencies or corporations being checked for possible risks in case of a cyberattack.
The Chief Information Security Officer is being mandated to establish a cyber security risk management partnership with the agencies and corporations.
The officer will also be required to developed strategies so the City and its bodies cannot be hacked.
City Council is mandating that its computer systems be brought up to international anti-hacking standards.
Some services at the Toronto Public Library were shut for months due to a computer hack.
The City of Toronto has more than 40 body, agencies or corporations that are digitally linked through a computer network that can be placed at risk or exposed to ransomware.
Lakeshore Arena is one of the many City boards or agencies, which also includes Toronto Police, TTC, Ontario Place, Toronto Parking Authority, Toronto Zoo, Yonge-Dundas Square, Toronto Investment Board, Exhibition Place, Toronto Waterfront and others.
City Council was told that the Office of the Chief Information Security Officer, is an independent cyber security division, which was created in 2020 with a staff or five. It has now grown to 84 cyber security experts who detect and protect City information from emerging cyber threats.
The Office ‘has implemented a robust and effective cyber program across the City’s divisions,’ according to a report.
The Toronto Zoo was another of the many City agencies with services interrupted due to hackers.
“Agencies and corporations have emerged as prime targets for cyberattacks,” the report stated. “Government and public-sector organizations are likely to continue to be among the top targets of cyber criminals seeking financial gain or competitive intelligence in the coming years.”
It said earlier this year the City of Hamilton and Town of Huntsville were hit by a cyberattack in which the computer systems in both places were shut for several weeks and it is unknown if any information was stolen.
“The impact of these disruptions highlights the importance of implementing robust and effective cyber security measures to safeguard against future threats and ensure uninterrupted delivery of services to residents,” according to the report.
It said nearly 600 cyber risk assessments were completed last year, which was a 27 per cent increase over 2022.
And more than 28,000 hours of cyber awareness were provided in 2023 to City officials, staff, contractors and those working in its agencies and corporations.