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Government of Canada's Plan To Improve Cybersecurity? Be Less Attractive (eweek.com)

darthcamaro writes: Though Justin Trudeau is the envy of many world leaders for his likeability, the head of of the Canadian Centre for Cyber Security at the Canadian Security Establishment (CSE), which helps to protect federal government networks says that his agency is trying to make Canada less attractive -- to hackers.

Speaking at the SecTor conference in Toronto Scott Jones said:
"By doing the basics, you're making the adversaries that come after you deploy more advanced tools and techniques, and you just might not be worth the expense," Jones said. "My ultimate goal is to make Canada unattractive to cyber-criminals and data hackers, because our community is vigilant and engaged so much so that threat actors aren't enticed to even attack us."

11 of 112 comments (clear)

  1. I have the best Security of all by Oswald+McWeany · · Score: 3, Funny

    If being unattractive is the key to better cybersecurity no one has better cyber security than me.

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    "That's the way to do it" - Punch
  2. Better title: by Sebby · · Score: 2

    "Government of Canada's Plan To Improve Cybersecurity? Be More Proactive"

    There, FTFY

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  3. Re:Here's another idea: by fluffernutter · · Score: 2, Informative

    MJ is legal nation-wide in 15 days.

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    Laws are rules for the court, but merely a bottom bar to hit for life. Think beyond laws in your actions always.
  4. Re:Envy by WillAffleckUW · · Score: 2

    Was there a poll or something?

    Yeah, it was an election where we sent Harper off to live with the Saudis.

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  5. Re:Envy? Misplaced priorities.... by WillAffleckUW · · Score: 4, Insightful

    While "world leaders" are focused on Trudeau's hair and nice sounding platitudes of diversity and at the same time apoplectic at whatever Trump's latest tweet is, he's running circles around us in advancing their interests. I'd trade Trudeau for Trump any day of the week, perhaps it's because I don't case so much for his personal views or the daily rage of mainstream media misinterpreting his comments.

    Um, dude, Trudeau tricked Trump into signing a NAFTA plus TPP deal with some TPIP thrown in.

    It's called "winning". Yes, I know, Orange Jesus has you believing Losing Badly is "winning", but in Canada, winning is "winning".

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  6. Empty words by commodore64_love · · Score: 2

    "be more vigilant" doesn't actually mean anything. What will you actually DO Mister Trudeau? - (insert sounds of giant Horse Flies biting your legs)

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    "I disapprove of what you say, but I will defend to the death your right to say it." - historian Evelyn Beatrice Hall
  7. Re:Here's another idea: by b0s0z0ku · · Score: 4, Insightful

    He's talking about Canada, which is run by rationals, not the US, where irrational, anti-pleasure, religious drug warriors still hold power.

  8. Re:Um, it won't work by alvinrod · · Score: 4, Insightful

    That would probably have the opposite effect. No one in Russia would be part of troll farm companies that are designed to influence opinions if they had better alternatives for earning an income. Part of the reason that's an issue is because even though Russia cast off the Soviet-era central planning, the oligarchy that replaced it has no interest in embracing free market ideals when it might challenge their control, but another issue is that the rest of the world has sanctioned Russia to the extent that it makes it difficult for legitimate commerce to occur. Naturally, this means an expanse in shady (or outright illegal) enterprise.

    If you think that trying to punish them economically will crush them, remember that Russians managed the longest run of any Communist country and the self-inflicted economic misery it brings. They're too proud to capitulate to western demands and they've been through worse economically and within recent memory for many of their citizens. Open up markets to them and create better economic opportunity and many of them are likely to act on that. It won't eliminate the troll farms, but it will make them more expensive, or subject them to outsourcing.

  9. Re: Envy by WillAffleckUW · · Score: 3, Funny

    ..... and replaced him with a fruitcake.

    No, that was America.

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  10. Re:Here's another idea: by b0s0z0ku · · Score: 2

    1. At least Canada has public healthcare for those without "fuck you money." Outcomes are better, life expectancies are longer than in the US. Who cares if you need to wait 6 months for cosmetic/orthopedic stuff if important surgery and procedures are nearly free?

    2. Free speech? I'm not planning to deny the Holocaust, so why do reasonable restrictions on promoting Fascism and ethnic hatred matter to me?

    3. Taxes - at least they pay for healthcare and infrastructure, not US military scumbaggery.

    4. Groceries are cheaper in major Canadian cities (Montreal) than in major US cities (NYC, DC, LA). US ag-commodity (wheat, corn, etc) markets are also regulated and propped up to appease the flyoverian farmer lobby.

    5. I see many more small business thriving in Quebec than in US states. Regulations are outweighed by cheaper rents and fewer levels of bureaucracy micromanaging things.

  11. Re: Um, it won't work by postbigbang · · Score: 2

    Until petro-exports started to make money, the USSR was trading potatoes. Reagan, for all of his crap, outspent the USSR and sucked up its resources in military spending.

    The uprisings were the result of not being able to feed people, crappy bureaucracy, and horrific infrastructure. There was no money, the common denominator towards the equivalent of a $2.50/hr wage. Great masses of people were just fed up with it.

    Party members were elevated to a pseudo-status of wealth. They weren't really rich, but they fared much better than the masses.

    This said, I think the Canadians are fooling themselves. Hackers like a challenge. They may be making a big mistake, thinking themselves clever and thumping their chests. It almost sounds like an invitation, to some of the people I know.

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    ---- Teach Peace. It's Cheaper Than War.