Alberta Innovates, a Crown corporation focused on promoting technological innovation in Alberta, has confirmed it was recently targeted in a cyberattack that caused significant network disruptions. The corporation, which provides grants and programming to entrepreneurs, researchers, and industry leaders, did not specify when the cyber incident occurred but noted that the network issues have since been resolved. The organization is now working closely with cybersecurity experts to investigate the nature and scope of the breach.
Spokesperson Dwayne Brunner stated that unauthorized third-party access to Alberta Innovates’ network was the cause of the disruption. However, the corporation has not yet revealed whether any personal, proprietary, or confidential information was compromised in the attack. As the investigation continues, Alberta Innovates emphasized that the privacy and security of the information it holds are a top priority.
Alberta Innovates is collaborating with local authorities and cybersecurity specialists to understand the full impact of the cyberattack and take steps to mitigate any potential risks. The corporation’s leadership is committed to providing further details once the investigation yields more information. In the meantime, the organization reassured stakeholders that all efforts are being made to ensure the security of the information it manages.
This cyberattack follows a series of similar incidents affecting Alberta’s public institutions, including the 2023 breach of the Alberta Dental Service Corp., which exposed sensitive data of over 1.5 million residents. It also comes on the heels of the Calgary Public Library’s October cyberattack, which temporarily disrupted services. As these incidents highlight the increasing risks to public sector organizations, Alberta Innovates is working to strengthen its cybersecurity infrastructure to prevent future attacks.
