Ontario’s cyberattacks surge, putting public bodies and people at risk.

Public organizations in Ontario are facing a growing wave of cyberattacks, putting vulnerable people and information at risk, according to experts. The trend is expected to continue into 2024. Cyberattacks against municipalities, universities, school boards, and hospitals are particularly concerning, as they house large volumes of sensitive personal information. Cybercriminals are becoming more aggressive in their targets, with a focus on breaching an organization’s security. Fortinet predicts that cybercriminals will turn to artificial intelligence to refine their tactics in the next year. Health institutions have also been a growing focus of cyberattacks, with hospitals, clinics, and healthcare providers being targeted. Ransomware attacks are more common in the healthcare sector, which is concerning due to limited funding and resources. Information and Privacy Commissioner Patricia Kosseim highlighted the increase in cyberattacks against health institutions and advised companies and organizations to beef up training and security measures. Experts also stressed the importance of individuals being vigilant and changing passwords frequently.+