DND: Black & McDonald reported ransomware attack

OTTAWA –

The Canadian engineering giant, whose work includes critical military, energy and transportation infrastructure across the country, has come under a ransomware attack.

The Ministry of National Defense said Black & McDonald reported the attack last month, but the company declined to publicly confirm the incident.

The Ministry of Defense and Ontario Power Generation, which also confirmed the attack, said there was no evidence it compromised sensitive or confidential information about their sites and operations.

But cyber security expert Terry Cutler said the attack was worrying because any confidential data Black & McDonald held about its work with the military and other clients could have been stolen.

The company says it has provided a wide variety of electrical and mechanical engineering services to federal, state and municipal utilities and agencies in recent years.

It has provided logistical and construction support to Canadian military bases, worked on nuclear and other power plants, and signed contracts with the Toronto Transit Commission and Halifax Airport.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published on March 8, 2023.