What you should know about hackable home security systems

CTV News Vancouver Consumer Reporter
Updated Feb. 22, 2022 8:24 p.m. PST
Published Feb. 22, 2022 5:19 p.m. PST

VANCOUVER -

Millions of us rely on home security systems for protection. But what if those security systems themselves are not so secure when it comes to attacks from hackers? Consumer Reports found that some of them can be disabled in a matter of seconds with a process called “jamming,” potentially putting you and your family at risk.

Jamming is when a burglar or hacker blocks the wireless signal of a door sensor, window sensor or motion sensor in a security system. That allows them to access your home without actually triggering the alarm.

In its latest tests, Consumer Reports found five home security systems susceptible to these types of attacks: Adobe Iota, Cove Home Security, Eufy 5-Piece Home Alarm Kit, Ring Alarm, and SimpliSafe the Essentials. Abode and SimpliSafe can detect jamming and will alert the homeowner that happens, but the alarms won’t trigger. The other systems offer no user alerts

Consumer Reports shared its findings with all of the security companies. Eufy was the only manufacturer that explicitly said it would fix the jamming risk in a future update. Cove said it “plans to add jam detection to its system next year, but likely as an optional feature.”

Consumer Reports says the good news is that jamming attacks are very rare, and security systems and other low-tech security solutions will often deter burglars.

If you own one of these systems, don’t feel the need to run out and replace it. Both the Ring and SimpliSafe systems perform well in other tests, including motion detection and ease of use and setup. Or consider a Kangaroo Front Door Security Kit, which wasn’t susceptible to CR’s jamming attacks.

If you want to beef up your home security system, consider adding some security cameras to the mix. They can record what’s happening and are not easily jammed.

No matter which alarm system you have, CR has one simple tip: Don’t use the branded yard signs or decals that came with it, because that could alert a hacker to your specific type of system. Instead, use generic signs and decals.

https://bc.ctvnews.ca/what-you-should-know-about-hackable-home-security-systems-1.5791983

Thousands turn out for Vancouver Lunar New Year parade despite coronavirus concerns

BY SEAN BOYNTON GLOBAL NEWS

Posted January 26, 2020 3:03 pm

One of Canada’s largest Lunar New Year festivals went ahead in Vancouver’s Chinatown on Sunday despite mounting concerns about the Wuhan coronavirus.

The Vancouver Chinatown Spring Festival Parade snaked its way through the community with several large lion dance troupes and local community groups taking part, delighting the thousands of spectators who lined the streets.

But the parade, which was celebrating its 47th year in Vancouver, nearly didn’t happen as the coronavirus continues to spread and the death toll in China rises.

Parade coordinator Jun Ing said organizers held an emergency meeting Saturday where they agreed to let the popular event go ahead.

“There’s always going to be a risk, but the risk wasn’t so huge that we could not go on,” he said.

Ing said despite the decision to carry on, roughly a dozen teams pulled out of the parade ahead of time.

Participants and spectators were also told that if they have travelled to China recently, they should consider not attending.

That warning didn’t appear to sway the crowd, however, which packed Chinatown to take in the eye-catching lion dances and live musical performances.

Among the more notable attendees included NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh and other members of the federal and provincial governments.

Ing said it was important for the parade to be held regardless of the health scare.

“It’s a tradition,” he said. “This is the 47th year. It’s not going to be cancelled on my watch.”

Health officials and event organizers have been on high alert as the Lunar New Year coincided with the outbreak of the deadly respiratory illness, which has killed at least 56 people in China and infected nearly 2,000 people in a little over a week.

With families travelling from China to Canada to ring in the new year with relatives, enhanced screenings were put in place at airports in Vancouver, Toronto and Montreal asking all international travellers if they have been to Wuhan.

At least two events in the Lower Mainland — one at the Semiahmoo Mall in South Surrey, and another at a Langley church — were both cancelled Saturday due to concerns attendees may bring the virus from China.

Wuhan has been on lockdown since late Wednesday, with the military blocking access to roads, train stations and airports. Nearly all deaths linked to the disease have originated from the city and the surrounding Hubei province.

Sixteen other surrounding cities have also been locked down, with all travel halted to those cities.

Ontario Health officials announced Saturday that a man in his 50s had been diagnosed with a “presumptive” case of coronavirus in Toronto, marking Canada’s first case.

Five cases have now been confirmed in the U.S. after officials announced two cases in California and a single case in Arizona on Sunday.

The U.S. is planning to evacuate diplomats and private citizens from Wuhan on Tuesday. Canada has not yet announced similar measures.

B.C. health officials and agencies including the Ministry of Health and the BC Centre for Disease Control say the risk to British Columbians is “very low,” and have yet to confirm any cases.

Officials say they won’t speculate on potential cases, only saying that no travellers who have reported respiratory symptoms at YVR airport have tested positive for the coronavirus.

Emergency alert test: When to expect it in B.C., and what to do if you don't get it

Kendra MangioneCTVNewsVancouver.ca producer

Published Wednesday, November 27, 2019 8:35AM PST

VANCOUVER -- Six months after the last test, B.C. cellphones, TV stations and radio stations will issue emergency alert messages on Wednesday.

Testing of the emergency system will be conducted across Canada throughout the day. In B.C., the test is scheduled for 1:55 p.m.

The message sent in May read, "EMERGENCY ALERT" in bold, capital letters.

"This is a TEST of the British Columbia Emergency Alerting System, issued by Emergency Management British Columbia. This is ONLY a TEST. If this had been an actual emergency or threat, you would now hear instructions that would assist you to protect you and your family."

The pop-up directed those who got the message to visit the EmergencyInfoBC website for more information.

A message posted on the site this week said the Alert Ready system, which allows officials to issue public safety warnings, only works on smartphones connected to an LTE or 4G network.

Phones must be compatible with wireless public alerting, have up-to-date software and be within the emergency alert area.

The Alert Ready website has a feature that helps cellphone users check their phone's compatibility. Those who have a compatible device but don't get the alert Wednesday are asked to contact their service provider.

It is not known how many phones are actually getting the alerts, The Canadian Press reported in the spring.

The federal government said it can't measure how many were received, but that "the confirmation in each jurisdiction indicates it was successfully distributed."

The system has been under scrutiny, especially in June when a tornado tore through parts of Ottawa and no warnings were sent.

But the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission says 125 real warnings have been issued through the system since January, and credits the alerts with saving lives.
 

Timing of alerts (in local time zone)

• Newfoundland and Labrador: 10:55 a.m.

• New Brunswick: 10:55 a.m.

• Prince Edward Island: 12:55 p.m.:

• Nova Scotia: 1:55 p.m.

• Quebec: 1:55 p.m.

• Ontario: 2:55 p.m.

• Northwest Territories: 9:55 a.m.

• Manitoba and Saskatchewan: 1:55 p.m.

• Alberta: 1:55 p.m.

• B.C. and Yukon: 1:55 p.m.

There is no test in Nunavut.

Majority of British Columbians not prepared for next severe winter storm: BC Hydro

BY SEAN BOYNTON GLOBAL NEWS

Posted November 22, 2019 10:25 pm

Boats are battered by waves at the end of the White Rock Pier that was severely damaged during a windstorm, in White Rock, B.C., on December 20, 2018. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck

Nearly a year after BC Hydro experienced the most devastating windstorm in its history, the utility says a majority of British Columbians aren’t prepared for the next one.

BC Hydro’s report cites an online survey conducted last month that found 60 per cent of 800 respondents “have not taken steps to be more prepared for power outages caused by winter storms.”

Further, only 50 per cent of those surveyed have an emergency preparedness kit, which BC Hydro says all residents should have in the event of a power outage. The survey found only 10 per cent of respondents plan to purchase a kit this year.

“That 60 per cent number is concerning to us,” BC Hydro spokesperson Tanya Fish said. “We recommend people take those steps to get prepared, not only for power outages but also for other emergencies.”

In December, more than 750,000 customers lost power after high winds battered the B.C. coast, with gusts topping 100 km/h.

READ MORE: BC Hydro says December windstorm was the most damaging in its history

The storm downed trees and power poles, and damaged homes, businesses and landmarks like the White Rock pier.

BC Hydro says the December storm was larger than the August 2015 windstorm that affected the Lower Mainland and Fraser Valley, and the 2006 windstorm that hit Vancouver Island and devastated Stanley Park in Vancouver.

But the utility said these storms are happening with increasing frequency. Data shows that in 2018, more customers experienced storm-related power outages than ever before.

“We know winter storms are getting worse,” Fish said. “We’ve seen more damage to our system, more damage to our customers. This is a way for us to encourage customers to get prepared.”

BC Hydro says everyone — particularly in coastal and island communities — should be bracing themselves for storms similar to the one in December.

That includes having an emergency kit that includes a flashlight and extra batteries, a first aid kit, required medications, non-perishable food, warm clothing, blankets and bottled water.

READ MORE: B.C.’s winter weather outlook: It’s going to get interesting

The report notes in the last five years, BC Hydro customers have lost power for an average of five million hours each year due to trees and adverse weather.

In 2018, that average shot up by more than double to 11 million hours.

Province-wide, tree-related outages were up 29 per cent in 2018, compared to the five-year average.

Remembrance Day 2019: Where ceremonies are being held in B.C. Social Sharing

A list of ceremonies taking place across the province Nov. 11

CBC News · Posted: Nov 08, 2019 11:39 AM PT | Last Updated: November 8

There are dozens of Remembrance Day ceremonies being held throughout B.C. on Nov. 11. (Justin Tang/Canadian Press)

Across the province, people will gather on Nov. 11 to pay their respects at Remembrance Day ceremonies.

Here's a list of some of the events happening in B.C.'s bigger municipalities (all times PT). Similar services will be held in smaller communities across the province. 

Abbotsford

A Remembrance Day ceremony will be held at Thunderbird Memorial Square. The ceremony will include a parade starting at 10:30 a.m. and a moment of silence at 11 a.m.

Chilliwack

Chilliwack will host several ceremonies:

• At 10 a.m. at the cenotaph in downtown Chilliwack, by the Chilliwack Museum on Main Street.

• At 10 a.m. at the Vedder Crossing Cenotaph.

• At the Coqualeetza Longhouse at 10 a.m., in honour of Sto:lo Nation warriors.

Delta

A ceremony will be held at North Delta Social Heart Plaza beginning at 10:40 a.m., followed by a reception.

The Ladner Branch of the Royal Canadian Legion will host a Remembrance Day event at Memorial Park. A parade will begin at 10:15 a.m. from the legion the Memorial Park Cenotaph. A ceremony will be held at 10:45 a.m.

Kamloops

A ceremony and parade will begin at Riverside Park at 10:30 a.m. 

Kelowna

Downtown, a parade to the City Park Cenotaph will begin at 10:30 a.m., leading up to a ceremony around 10:45 to 11 a.m. After the ceremony, parade attendees will continue to march to Stuart Park. 

Another ceremony and parade will take place at Rutland Lions Park beginning at 10:30 a.m. 

The poppy became a symbol of remembrance following the First World War. (Justin Pennell/CBC)

Langley

A ceremony will be held at Douglas Park in Langley, set to start at 10:45 a.m. A parade will arrive at the event start time, followed by the ceremony at 10:55 a.m. Community members can order wreaths in person or over the phone which will be picked up by the city and delivered to the ceremony site.

The Township of Langley will hold three ceremonies across the community.

Aldergrove: A parade to the Aldergrove Legion will leave Old Yale Road at 10:45 a.m. PT. The procession will be followed by a service starting at 10:50 a.m. PT which will include a wreath laying and a flypast over the ceremony by the Fraser Blues. 

Fort Langley: A procession beginning at 10:25 a.m. will march through the Fort Langley Cemetery, past the graves of fallen soldiers, to the cenotaph. Following the procession, a service will be held which will include a flypast by the Fraser Blues at 11 a.m. 

Murrayville: A procession will depart from the south end of Murrayville Cemetery at 10:30 a.m. After the event, attendees can visit the Langley Golf and Banquet Centre or United Church for refreshments. 

Maple Ridge

A Remembrance Day ceremony will be held at Memorial Peace Park beginning at 10:30 a.m. A parade will march through the downtown core to the Cenotaph. A ceremony will begin at 11 a.m. followed by flags being lowered at 11:30.

Children sit quietly at a Remembrance Day ceremony in Kelowna, B.C., in 2016. (@ChristyClarkBC/Twitter)

Mission

A parade will begin at 10:15 a.m. at Clark Theatre, followed by a ceremony at 10:40 a.m.

Nelson

A parade will begin at 10:30 a.m. from the Nelson Royal Canadian Legion, leading up to a ceremony at Nelson City Hall at 11 a.m.

New Westminster

A parade will begin at 10:25 a.m., heading from Queens Avenue and Sixth Street to the Cenotaph on Royal Avenue. 

North Vancouver

A service will be held on the east side of Victoria Park at 11 a.m., followed by a procession. The North Vancouver Legion will host entertainment from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m., and minors are invited to visit the cadet houses following the ceremony. Up to 6,000 community members are expected to attend.

Pitt Meadows

A ceremony will be held at the Cenotaph in Spirit Square beginning at 10:45 a.m. A reception will commence afterwards at Pitt Meadows Family Recreation Centre. Community members who would like to include their wreath in the ceremony can drop it off at the event location from 9 to 10 a.m.

Port Coquitlam

The Port Coquitlam Royal Canadian Legion will host a Remembrance Day ceremony at Veterans Park beginning at 11 a.m 

Port Moody

A parade and ceremony will be hosted at 10:30 a.m. at the Port Moody Arts Centre. The event will be followed by entertainment at the Port Moody Legion from 1 p.m. to 8 p.m.

Prince George

A Remembrance Day ceremony will be held at the Prince George Conference and Civic Centre, beginning at 9 a.m.

Richmond

A parade will start at 10:20 a.m. leading up to a ceremony and wreath laying held at the cenotaph at Richmond City Hall. After the ceremony, community members can attend a reception at the City Hall Galleria.

Surrey

Surrey will host several Remembrance Day events, including a number of processions taking place throughout the city. The main official ceremony, hosted by the City of Surrey and Cemetery Services, will be held at the Surrey Centre Cemetery starting at 10:45 a.m.

Vancouver

The city's main Remembrance Day Ceremony takes place at Victory Square Park beginning at 10 a.m., where the Vancouver Bach Youth Choir and Sarabande Choir will be performing.

Community members are also invited to honour Chinese-Canadian military veterans and Chinese-Canadian pioneers at Chinatown's annual Remembrance Day Ceremony, starting at at 12:30 p.m.

A ceremony at the University of B.C. begins at 10:45 a.m. at the War Memorial Gym, including short readings, remarks from special guests and musical performances by the UBC Opera Ensemble.

Victoria

A wreath laying will be held at the City of Victoria Cenotaph beginning at 10:30 a.m., and a service will be held at Parliament Square in Victoria, beginning at 11 a.m. The service will include attendance by the St. John Ambulance Brigade, a wreath laying, and a special prayer offered by Rev. Andrew Gates. 

Event organizers are asking for community members' patience and understanding as space and seating will be limited this year due to construction in the area. 

West Vancouver

A ceremony will be held starting with a parade from the Legion to the West Vancouver Cenotaph, followed by an official service. Community members can attend a reception at the Legion following the ceremony, at 580 18th St.

White Rock

A ceremony will be held at the Cenotaph at White Rock City Hall, beginning with a parade from Johnston Road at Roper Avenue at 10:30 a.m. A service will begin at 11 a.m., and community members are invited to visit the White Rock Royal Canadian Legion for entertainment afterwards.

With files from Marwa Elgabry

Manitoba Liquor and Lotteries 'not giving up' as weekly thefts reach hundreds

Vigilante justice, filming thefts ‘just not worth it,’ says MLL spokesperson

Bartley Kives, Caitlyn Gowriluk · CBC News · Posted: Oct 28, 2019 4:58 PM CT | Last Updated: October 28

Liquor stores in this province are getting robbed hundreds of times a week, only months after Manitoba Liquor and Lotteries unveiled a strategy to reduce the incidence of theft.

The provincial Crown corporation conceded Monday it is still trying to find ways to mitigate a robbery problem that primarily afflicts liquor marts in Winnipeg, several of which have been altered to improve security and staffed with armed security.

"We have police officers in our stores and they're robbing us while an armed officer with a gun and a Taser is standing there, so I'm not sure what is supposed to fix this," Liquor and Lotteries' corporate and public affairs director Andrea Kowal said Monday at a news conference.

"Our extreme frustration is the media has focused on this as a liquor mart theft problem. Every single story is about a liquor theft problem and I'm afraid this diminishes how serious this is as a retail theft problem and a crime problem in our city," Kowal said.

In response to rising theft in 2018 and earlier this year, the corporation placed loss-prevention officers in stores during peak times, started checking customers' ID at the front door of Liquor Marts, using bottle locks and lockable shelf cases and started requiring customers to ask staff for high-value bottles.

Liquor store theft rate 'high as its ever been': Manitoba Liquor and Lotteries

Kowal said thefts continue to occur at a rate of hundreds per week. Liquor Marts in Winnipeg are robbed a total of 10 to 20 times a day, said Const. Jay Murray of the Winnipeg Police Service.

"It's almost like liquor has become a form of currency in the criminal underworld here in Winnipeg. It's certainly being shopped as such on social media platforms," Murray said.

As videos of people robbing liquor marts continue to spread on social media, Liquor and Lotteries is urging people not to try to be a hero when they see a crime in progress.

"No one's life or safety is worth a bottle," Kowal said. "It's just not worth it."

Winnipeg police issued a similar warning over the weekend asking customers not to take video of the thefts, either. Liquor and Lotteries operates state-of-the-art video systems and does not need anyone to use their iPhones to capture images of thefts, Murray said.

"It seems like every day another video is being shared on social media of someone intervening," he said, adding he understands customers are frustrated and wish to help.

The union representing 1,000 liquor store employees said its members are also frustrated.

"There's a feeling of trepidation when people walk into the store, and that's not how people want to go to work every day," said Janet Kehler, member services director of the Manitoba Government and General Employees' Union.

Kowal said there's no silver bullet to stop the problem, but she said they're still looking at more steps they can take to try to mitigate theft.

"We're not giving up," said Kowal. "Every time we put something in place, it works for a little while and then they figure out how to get around it."

She said she would not share what measures are and are not working because that would assist thieves.

Kowal said while liquor mart thefts have gotten a lot of attention in Winnipeg, the issue is much larger than what's happening in their stores.

"It's not going to be solved by law enforcement and security. This is a city-wide, maybe North America-wide problem that's going to involve groups that work with families, addictions groups, public health, social agencies," she said.

"If we closed the liquor marts — whether we closed them to make a Consumers Distributing model, or literally closed them and said, 'we're not gonna be in this business anymore' — this issue is still going to exist."

Consumers Distributing, a retail chain that closed in 1996, used a shopping model where customers browsed through a catalogue to select items and then an attendant retrieved the items from the warehouse.

Kowal said the thefts are taking a toll on liquor mart staff, and asked people to be empathetic to them.

Is the Sask Health Authority Beefing Up Security?

There may be changes coming to security practices to the St Joseph's Hospital; in fact, they're currently looking at strategies for all facilities within the Saskatchewan Health Authority.

Officials hope this process will make sure that all hospitals and facilities ensure the safety of staff, visitors and patients, according to the Executive Director of Infrastructure Management, Derek Miller.

"The intent of the review is really two-fold. One is we brought together the 12 health regions into a single health authority. We want to create a provincial program for security," explained Miller. "We want the review to basically describe to us the current state of security across our various facilities. And the second part of the report is about recommendations, about how we would structure and operate provincial security programs."

When exactly these changes or upgrades will be implemented is still up in their air as they are waiting for the report. Once they have it, they will have to go through it line by line to make any determinations.

"We are anticipating receiving the report likely in a month or so, likely in August. At that point we'll be reviewing it internally and considering the various recommendations. At that point, it'll inform us of our next steps as we develop our strategy for setting up this provincial program for security."

Here in Estevan, Greg Hoffart, Executive Director at the St. Joseph's Hospital is awaiting the results of the review. 

"We have heard no results from their security review at this time. I think that there are definitely areas of the province where security is of great concern in facilities. So we will be interested to see what their reviews and the results of such a review."

 Written by Hayley Hart/Emily Kroeker

CBC News- How to prevent vehicle break-ins

Park in well-lit areas, avoid leaving items in the car, be extra careful in hot spots like downtown Montreal.

Montreal has its hot spots for vehicle break-ins, but they can happen anywhere, and there are clear ways to curb it, according to the experts and those who've had their cars vandalized.

Montreal has its hot spots for vehicle break-ins, but they can happen anywhere, and there are clear ways to curb it, according to the experts and those who've had their cars vandalized.

Lawyer Jean-François Raymond said he returned to his car, parked at Peel and Ste-Catherine streets in downtown Montreal a few years ago, to find the rear window smashed and what he'd left in the back seat, gone.

Raymond's advice to drivers: don't leave anything in your vehicle.

George Iny from the Automobile Protection Association agrees. He said sunglasses, a purse, electronics, or anything that looks like it's holding something valuable, such as a computer, could entice a thief.

"The core area of the city has a lot of street life, and some people who are in difficulty," Iny said. "For them, this is an opportunity to make a few bucks." 

Iny recommends people never leave the keys in the car, even for just a moment, like at a gas station.

"If someone is staking the place out, the car could disappear. That's how it happens," Iny said.

That's also one of the Canadian Automobile Association's tips for preventing car theft.

The CAA recommends having parts of the car engraved and installing a tracking system or starter kill, and to park in well lit areas. 

The Guardian

Three Oaks student honoured for excellence in workplace safety

Melanie Rodger, who recently graduated from Three Oaks Senior High School student in Summerside, has been busy creating safe spaces at her school, work and volunteer settings.

Recently she was recognized for showing excellence in the demonstration and understanding of occupational health and safety (OCH) principals, by the Workers Compensation Board (WCB) with the Safety Matters Award during their annual public meeting.

“One of the ways to build safer workplaces is to focus on our future workforce,” said Stuart Affleck, chairman for the Workers Compensation Board. “The WCB places great importance on fostering safety champions in our next generation of workers and employers.”

Melanie participated in the OHS Leadership Program over the past year, where she worked with a partner to plan and host events designed to raise student awareness around safety in the workplace.

In the summer of 2017, she worked in a laboratory setting at University of Prince Edward Island, where she gained awareness and appreciation for safety training, and the need for personal protective equipment in certain workplace settings.

She participated in a training course at an aerospace company where workers were provided with an orientation to a new 3-D printer and learned more about effective communication of workplace hazards.

Rodger volunteers at the Prince County Hospital, in addition she serves as president of a volunteer youth board at the hospital. She has taken a leadership role in sharing knowledge about OHS with her co-workers and plans to study bioengineering at McGill University in Montreal this fall.

“We applaud Melanie and the many other students who take an interest in health and safety in the workplace,” said Luanne Gallant, CEO for the Workers Compensation Board. “Any effort to educate and engage others in discussions around safety will help benefit everyone.”

To learn more about educating young workers about workplace safety, visit the Workers Compensation Board website at or call the WCB office at 902‐368‐5680 or 1‐800‐237‐5049.

News11:30

Crime will be a top issue for Surrey in run-up to civic election, says longtime journalist

SURREY (NEWS 1130) – With three high-profile murders in Surrey last month alone, a longtime journalist believes crime will be a major focus when people go to the polls to elect a new mayor in October.

Frank Bucholtz — a former columnist with the Surrey Now Leader, among other roles — tells us the issue will be perhaps the most prominent issue in October’s vote.

But he says it’s not just murders that are the focus for voters — it’s a lot of those lesser crimes that are proving to be an agitation.

“It isn’t just the murders. It’s also a lot of the other crime that goes on, that’s associated with it. I think people are just feeling that it’s not under any kind of control.”

“In many parts of Surrey, crime is a pretty common thing,” he adds. “It may not be murders or it may not be violent crime. It might be petty crime. It might be property, break-ins, theft or vandalism or things like that.”

That said, Bucholtz says it will be a major challenge for anyone to take on the reigning Surrey First party, suggesting that party will be the favourite unless a high-profile name enters the fray — like perhaps Rich Coleman, the former BC Liberal cabinet minister who was said to be considering a run for mayor.

“Surrey First definitely has an edge financially,” says Bucholtz. “They’ve undoubtedly raised hundreds of thousands of dollars before the new rules kicked in that the province brought in. Therefore, I think, any opponent is going to have one hand tied behind their back to compete financially.”

Forty-five per cent of people who responded to a recent Research Co survey say crime is the most important issue in Surrey. Bucholtz says the percentage of people who feel that way might actually be higher, in reality.

But the crime problem is not what’s scaring off potential candidates, in the view of Bucholtz. He believes people may opt out of running due to Surrey First’s dominance in recent elections.

“I think people just feel — what’s the point in putting a lot of money, energy and time and volunteer effort into mounting a campaign against a civic slate which has this kind of advantage financially — incumbency, coziness with business and developers — so I think people have looked at it and said, ‘I’ll take a pass,'” says Bucholtz.

 – With files from Monika Gul

CBC

Overall crime rate in Vancouver went down in 2017, VPD says

Property crime and deadly car crashes are down, but homicides and sex offences are up slightly

Vancouver police say the rate of crime in the city dropped in 2017, with less property crime and deadly car crashes but more homicides and car theft.

The overall crime rate has gone down 1.5 per cent, according to department data released Thursday.

Property crime went down nearly two per cent, ending a five-year streak of rising rates. Break-ins to businesses also went down by nearly 18 per cent, robberies were down 23 per cent and deadly motor vehicle collisions dropped by 13 per cent.

There were 1.9 per cent more violent crimes in 2017, but when you compare those numbers for the last 10 years, there's still a decrease.

Homicides in the city went from 12 to 19 last year, for an increase of 58 per cent. Shots fired incidents were up 19 per cent, from 26 to 31.

Sex offences were also up by two per cent.

A statement from the department said motor vehicle theft is still a persistent problem.

"Theft from motor vehicles continues to be an issue in Vancouver, especially downtown," said Const. Jason Doucette. 

"While we'll continue to target offenders, drivers can help by simply not leaving anything visible in their vehicles. If thieves can see it, they're more likely to steal it."

On average, the data noted, Vancouver police responded to calls within nine minutes and 46 seconds in 2017 — about one second slower than the year before.

It world Canada

UK minimum cyber security standard should be followed in Canada, says expert

There’s no shortage of advice to infosec leaders about what they ought to be doing to tighten the IT security of their organization, starting with the Center for Internet Security’s critical security controls . But what if the board and C-suite wants to tell departments what they must do?

The recently-issued minimum cyber security standard for U.K. government departments is a good place to start. In seven pages the government sets out what it expects departments to adhere to — and exceed wherever possible.

This concise document goes along with the more detailed best practices security policy framework for protecting government assets, first published in 2014, to comply with the U.K. national cyber security strategy.

Those two documents can be granular, and in some ways ‘here’s how you do it’. The minimum cyber security standard is ‘here’s what you better be doing.’

So, for example, one of the first standards is “Departments shall identify and manage the significant risks to sensitive information and key operational services.”

Here’s another notable must: “Access shall be removed when individuals leave their role or the organization. Periodic reviews should also take place to ensure appropriate access is maintained.”

And another: “Multi-factor authentication shall be used where technically possible, such as where administrative consoles provide access to manage cloud based infrastructure, platforms or services. Multi-factor authentication shall be used for access to enterprise level social media accounts.”

Four sections

The standard is broken down into four sections infosec pros will recognize for creating a strategy: Identify, Protect, Detect and Respond. Within each department heads are mandated to take certain action. This means if there is a failure the government can ask, ‘Why wasn’t this done?”

“This is a  useful starting point for Canadian authorities,” said David Swan, the Alberta-based director of cyber intelligence at the Centre for Strategic Cyberspace + Security Science, an international consultancy. “All levels of government can use it. The requirements of the standard can be integrated into any regulatory framework. The standard can be expanded or included in other guidance. In the corporate environment, this level of knowledge should be required by boards of directors, CEOs, CSOs and CISOs. Organizations that don’t require this level of knowledge are essentially ‘co-operative victims’, unaware of their risk, cyber threat and consequences.”

The standard does allow some implementation flexibility. So the definition of ‘sensitive’, ‘essential’, ‘important’ and ‘appropriate’ are left open. “However , the document adds, “departments are accountable for the effectiveness of these decisions.”

U.K. departments “shall understand and manage security issues that arise because of dependencies on external suppliers or through their supply chain,” the standard says. That includes ensuring that the standards are met by the suppliers of third party services, such as hardware, software, consulting or cloud providers  However, those third parties could meet compliance in one of several ways. One is if the supplier holds a valid Cyber Essentials2 certificate as a minimum.

The U.K. Cyber Essentials program has accredited bodies issue certificates to private sector companies attesting they have met certain minimum security standards. Last month, when it released the latest Canadian cyber security standard Ottawa said it is looking to set up a similar program here.

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However, the Canadian program may take some time. The government said it will first consult with the private sector and potential certification bodies.  At this point it isn’t known who those certification firms could be. In the U.K. they include many IT security consulting companies, who have expertise in the area. The department of Innovation, Science and Economic Development (ISED) will be responsible for approving the Canadian program. The Communications Security Establishment (CSE), which oversees security for federal systems, will define a basic set of measures SMEs would have to follow. And the Standards Council of Canada will approve certification bodies to assure evaluate SMEs have met the standard.

Note where the U.K. mimimum standard starts: “There shall be clear lines of responsibility and accountability to named individuals for the security of
sensitive information and key operational services.”