Public Safety Canada Daily Infrastructure Report
The Public Safety Canada Daily Infrastructure Report is a compilation of summaries of publicly available and Public Safety Canada information concerning critical infrastructure protection and emergency management.
DOB07-219 - 14 November 2007
News
CCIRC releases advisory AV07-101: Microsoft Security Bulletins for the Month of November
On November 14, Public Safety Canada’s Canadian Cyber Incident Response Centre (CCIRC) released advisory AV07-101 to bring attention to two vulnerabilities (including one Critical) in some Microsoft products. The vulnerabilities could allow remote code execution or spoofing. CCIRC recommends that administrators test and install the updates at the earliest opportunity.
(Source: Public Safety Canada, 14 November 2007)
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CCIRC provides recent alerts and advisories on their website under Recent analytical releases.
BC Hydro power outages: Update
DOB07-219, on November 13, BC Hydro reported that as of 17:00 PST, 30,000 customers remained without electricity. Power was expected to be restored to the majority of customers in the Lower Mainland, Fraser Valley, Vancouver Island and B.C. Interior on November 13 by the end of the day or by midnight. However, some customers may remain without power until November 15.
(Source: BC Hydro, 12 November 2007)
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Windstorm in prairies affects transportation and power
On November 13, CBC reported that a grass fire fuelled by high winds prompted a state of emergency in the County of Paintearth in west-central Alberta. Highway 36 from Highway 12 south to Garden Plain Road was closed by the RCMP because of the fire and the winds. On November 14, Canoe reported that the state of local emergency was lifted late at night on November 13 and Highway 36 was reopened to traffic as the flames and the wind died down. In addition, approximately 5,000 people in the Edmonton region were hit with power outages early on November 13 when winds damaged power lines. According to officials, most of the power has been restored. Canoe reported that in Regina, the strong winds were affecting the performance of SaskPower’s 116 wind turbines around Swift Current, which can only handle wind speeds of up to 95 km/h.
(Sources: CBC, 13 November 2007; Canoe, 14 November 2007)
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Avian influenza in England
On November 13, the Globe and Mail reported that British officials said that an outbreak of bird flu in eastern England is the H5N1 strain of the disease. The source of the outbreak has not yet been identified. Officials indicated that approximately 5,000 free-range turkeys, 1,000 ducks and 500 geese were being culled.
(Source: Globe and Mail, 13 November 2007)
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The U.K. Department for Environment Food and Rural Affairs provides more detailed information on the avian influenza H5N1 situation in the U.K.
In brief
CFIA expands Health Hazard Alert about certain Ranchers Beef Ltd. products
Further to Public Safety Daily Infrastructure Report DOB07-215, on November 13, the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) expanded the warning about various beef products involving Ranchers Beef Ltd. to include additional stores and products.
(Source: CFIA, 13 November 2007)
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CFIA issues a Health Hazard Alert for certain Compliments beef products
On November 13, the CFIA and Cardinal Meat Specialists Ltd. warned the public not to consume certain Compliments brand frozen beef burgers because they may be contaminated with E. coli O157:H7 bacteria.
(Source: CFIA, 13 November 2007)
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New death related to avian influenza in Indonesia
On November 12, the World Health Organization (WHO) reported that the Ministry of Health of Indonesia announced the death of a 31-year-old male from Riau Province related to human infection of H5N1 avian influenza. Identification of the source of his infection is ongoing.
(Source: WHO, 12 November 2007)
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As of November 12, WHO reports 113 confirmed human cases of avian influenza H5N1 in Indonesia, with 91 fatalities, since 2005.
Cyber risk assessment
Over the course of the past 24 hours, the Canadian Cyber Incident Response Centre (CCIRC) has released advisory AV07-101: Microsoft Security Bulletins for the Month of November, which provides details on specific vulnerabilities and suggested mitigation strategies.
However, no 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 low.
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.
Note to readers
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