Canada is seeing a sharp increase in cyberattacks

Canada was one of the three countries targeted the most by cyberattacks in 2024, according to a new report from California-based cybersecurity company Fortinet.

In its 2025 Global Threat Landscape Report, Fortinet's FortiGuard Labs team provided insight into the tactics and techniques of these bad actors, as well some of the places they're attacking.

Of particular note is the fact that Canada placed third (5 per cent) in terms of dealing with the most cyberattacks last year, behind only the U.S. (61 per cent) and the U.K. (6 per cent). In Q1 2025 alone, Fortinet found that there were 5.9 billion cyberattack attempts in Canada, a 40 per cent increase from the year prior.

Fortinet adds that industries like manufacturing, healthcare and financial services are facing a "surge" in tailored cyberattacks.

In total, cybercriminals like BestCombo, BloddyMery, and ValidMail shared over 100 billion compromised records on underground forums, a marked 42 per cent year-over-year increase. This includes "combo lists" containing such personal data as stolen usernames, passwords and email addresses.

These bad actors are also turning more and more to AI. According to Fortinet, tools like FraudGPT, BlackmailerV3 and ElevenLabs are being used to "enhance phishing realism and evading traditional security controls," making them particularly well-suited to avoid safeguards.

Naturally, all of this underscores the need for individuals and organizations alike to better protect their data. For the former, the Government of Canada has a variety of resources to promote safe online habits, while the latter can turn to companies like Fortinet to bolster their security.

The full 2025 Global Threat Landscape Report can be accessed through Fortinet's website.