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Daily Brief

The PSEPC Daily Brief is a compilation of summaries of publicly available and PSEPC information concerning critical infrastructure protection and emergency management.

DOB05-224 - 23 November 2005

News

Avian influenza discovered on second B.C. farm
On November 22, the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) announced that the avian influenza virus has been confirmed on a second farm in the Chilliwack, B.C., area; three other related farms all tested negative for the virus. The CFIA has established a surveillance area in a five-kilometre radius around the farm where the virus was first identified. The area will be expanded to account for the second farm. All birds from the two farms are being depopulated.
(Source: Canadian Food Inspection Agency, 22 November 2005)
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The CFIA has stated that the second discovery of the avian influenza virus does not indicate a worsening situation and poses no new risk to food safety and human health.
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Thousands of Nova Scotians lose power due to storm
A severe wind and rain storm swept through the Maritimes on November 22, causing the loss of electricity to thousands of customers in Nova Scotia and P.E.I. As of 06:00 EDT on November 23, Nova Scotia Power stated that electricity was restored to approximately 100,000 customers overnight, which represents 80 percent of affected customers. Restoration efforts across the province continue today. Additional crews from within Nova Scotia, New Brunswick and Maine are assisting with the efforts. Maritime Electric has reported that an unknown number of P.E.I. residents are also without power.
(Source: CBC News, Nova Scotia Power, 23 November 2005)
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Environment Canada has issued a wind warning for Cape Breton's Inverness County. Winds gusting up to 100 km/h are expected to diminish later today. All other weather warnings issued for Nova Scotia due to the storm have ended. For more information, click here.

In brief

Restoration work to Quebec airport completed
On November 22, Transport Minister Jean-C. Lapierre announced that restorations to Quebec’s Natashquan Airport have been completed. The repairs, worth $3.4 million, included pavement restoration of the runway, taxiway, apron and the public parking lot.
(Source: Transport Canada, 22 November 2005)
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Cyber risk assessment

Over the course of the past 24 hours, the Canadian Cyber Incident Response Centre (CCIRC) has become aware of an update to Microsoft Security Advisory 911302 as well as a new variant of the Sober worm (W32/Sober@MM!M681). This variant is rated as a medium risk for home and corporate users by some anti-virus vendors. Due to the fact that worms/viruses tend to morph quickly, often well in advance of anti-virus signature updates, users are urged to update their anti-virus software on a frequent/regular basis.

No other significant incidents with the potential to affect critical infrastructure have been reported. Accordingly, based on the information available to CCIRC, the cyber risk facing Canadian critical infrastructure is assessed as medium. Personnel responsible for information, systems and network security should continue to apply appropriate security precautions and monitor their systems.

Recent cyber alerts and advisories issued by CCIRC can be viewed under “Recent analytical releases” at www.psepc.gc.ca/ccirc.

Follow-up 1 to CCIRC Advisory AV05-036 will be posted today to reflect the update of Microsoft Security Advisory 911302.

See also...

• The Weather Office
• FAC - Travel Updates

Note to readers

Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness Canada (PSEPC) collects information related to cyber and physical threats to, and incidents involving, Canadian critical infrastructure. This allows us to monitor and analyze threats and to issue alerts, advisories and other information products. To report threats or incidents, please contact the Government Operations Centre (GOC) at (613) 991-7000 or goc-cog@psepc-sppcc.gc.ca by e-mail.

Unauthorized use of computer systems and mischief in relation to data are serious Criminal Code offences in Canadas. Any suspected criminal activity should be reported to local law enforcement organizations. The Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) National Operations Centre (N.O.C.) provides a 24/7 service to receive such reports or to redirect callers to local law enforcement organizations. The N.O.C. can be reached at (613) 993-4460. National security concerns should be reported to the Canadian Security Intelligence Service (CSIS) at (613) 993-9620.

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Users should be aware that information offered by non-GoC sites not subject to the Official Languages Act, and to which the PSEPC Daily Brief links, might be available only in the language(s) used by the sites in question.