Hackers May Have Accessed 22 BC Government Inboxes, Data on 19 Employees: Farnworth

Hackers May Have Accessed 22 BC Government Inboxes, Data on 19 Employees: Farnworth
British Columbia's Public Safety Minister Mike Farnworth speaks during an RCMP news conference in Surrey, B.C., on Mar. 8, 2024. (The Canadian Press/Ethan Cairns)
The Canadian Press
6/3/2024
Updated:
6/3/2024
0:00

British Columbia’s public safety minister says 22 government email inboxes with sensitive personal information on 19 employees may have been accessed during a cyber attack on the province’s networks last month.

Mike Farnworth says there’s no indication the general public’s information was compromised and investigators have not identified any misuse of the information the criminals may have accessed.

Mr. Farnworth says the investigation is continuing and evidence still points to state or state-sponsored actors as those responsible.

The minister would not provide details on where the employees work who were swept up in the breach, but says they are with the public service, not the government cabinet.

Mr. Farnworth says the employees have been notified and will be receiving credit monitoring and help with identity protection.

The hack is one of several recent cyber breaches in the province, including one at the First Nations Health Authority and an attack that forced retailer London Drugs to shut down stores across Western Canada for more than a week.