JAKARTA – Canadian companies and commercial entities operating in the critical infrastructure sector will be required to report cyberattacks to the federal government. They must also strengthen their cyber systems under new legislation introduced on Tuesday June 14.

The law identifies the financial, telecommunications, energy and transportation sectors as essential to national security and public safety. But the Canadian government has not named any companies.

“A lot of thought went into identifying sectors vital to national security and public safety,” said Homeland Security Minister Marco Mendicino. Reuters. He also added that critical infrastructure operators will be identified after consultation with the sectors.

The new law will also give Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s government broader powers to protect the country’s telecommunications systems from cybersecurity threats.

“This new law … will help the public and private sectors better protect themselves against cyberattacks,” Mendicino said.

Faster networks like 5G have helped Canada’s critical infrastructure sectors become more interconnected and integrated. But they are also more vulnerable to new forms of cyberthreats.

According to senior Canadian officials, hacking incidents have increased recently. But they still don’t report it because companies aren’t required to do so under current law, which requires them to report cyberattacks when they occur.

Bill C-26, which has not yet been debated or passed, would also prohibit telecommunications companies from using the products and services of high-risk providers.

The release does not name any companies. But Canada last month banned the use of 5G equipment made by Huawei Technologies Co Ltd and ZTE Corp to protect national security. They join the United States, Britain, Australia and New Zealand, which have banned equipment from China.

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