Ottawa prepares cyberattacks
against drug traffickers
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has asked the defence minister to open a new front in the fight against foreign criminal groups that are flooding North America with fentanyl. Canada's top-secret electronic spy agency will be called upon to carry out cyberattacks targeting drug traffickers beyond our borders. A first in the country's history.
What you need to know
CSE employs 3,500 people and has an annual budget of more than $1 billion dedicated primarily to strengthening Canada's cyber security, as well as intercepting communications abroad for intelligence purposes. Since 2019, the agency has also been authorized to conduct "cyber operations" to weaken or eliminate the capabilities of an individual, group or state that seeks to harm Canada. CSE is prohibited by law from targeting Canadian citizens or any person on Canadian soil.
Communications Security Establishment Headquarters in Ottawa
In his directive, Justin Trudeau asks the organization to redirect part of its efforts to gather intelligence "about foreign transnational criminals involved in the trafficking of fentanyl, other illicit drugs and their precursor chemicals to North America."
He even openly asks him to move on to the attack in cyberspace. "I also direct that these funds be used to strengthen cyber operations [...] with the aim of thwarting these illicit supply chains," the directive states.
CSE Chief Caroline Xavier declined our request for an interview. A spokeswoman for the organization, Janny Bender Asselin, confirmed that its experts will participate in the offensive against organized crime. "Where appropriate, CSE may conduct foreign cyber operations to disrupt or reduce activities that threaten the safety and security of Canadians and our allies," the spokesperson added.
A new transparencyThe Canadian government almost never speaks so openly about the clandestine actions of its intelligence services. "It's very interesting! It's not something that happens often in the public domain," observes Artur Wilczynski, former director general of intelligence operations at CSE.
"It's something new, this transparency with Canadians," adds the expert, who is now a professional in residence at the University of Ottawa.
Artur Wilczynski, former Director General of Intelligence Operations at the Communications Security Establishment of Canada
Wilczynski said his former colleagues will appreciate the government's clear statement of priorities. "It will be very well received, and the fact that it is accompanied by funding will also be well received."
Defence Minister Bill Blair's office used the announcement to highlight CSE's role in the country's security. "CSE plays a key role in protecting Canadians from cyber threats and transnational organized crime, and we are strengthening this work with additional resources. Its experts are among the best: they work with our allies, within a strict legal framework, to provide foreign intelligence that helps weaken and disrupt these criminal networks," said Laurent de Casanove, the minister's press secretary.
Able to Actually Affect TargetsThe inability of police and prosecutors to use data intercepted by Canadian intelligence services in a criminal trial has long been a source of frustration among authorities. But the possibility of striking groups in cyberspace to disrupt their activities, without seeking a conviction in court, is increasingly being studied by law enforcement.
Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) Commissioner Mike Duheme confirmed in an interview with La Presse this week that he is looking forward to seeing what CSE can bring to the table in the fight against drug traffickers. "Maybe we couldn't use it for a criminal trial, but rather to dismantle a network," he explained.
CSE's contribution to the fight against transnational organized crime will certainly start with intelligence, believes Artur Wilczynski. Even if the information gathered is not admissible as evidence in court, it can help authorities better understand the sources, intentions and methods of criminal groups.
But offensives in cyberspace will also have a "much more direct" impact, according to Wilczynski.
"CSE has the ability to actually affect targets through its cyber operations, and the consequences can be very significant," Wilczynski said.
Subtle actionsIn the past, the organization has admitted to launching cyberattacks to disable a server used by foreign hackers, for example.
"But the actions can be much more subtle than taking a server out of the game," Wilczynski says.
He says he is not allowed to say too much about the techniques used, but he believes that citizens can observe how fraudsters and hackers act in cyberspace: phishing text messages, emails from a customer or partner, dissemination of false information. Then you just have to "use your imagination" to deduce how a government agency can disrupt the activities of a criminal group.
Hypothetically, it would be possible to change the formula for producing a substance in a file, to insert disinformation into a private conversation, to act to make them lose confidence in their network, their partners, to make them no longer know what is true or not.
Artur Wilczynski, former Director General of Intelligence Operations at CSE
This type of operation carries risks, "including a reputational risk to Canada," if a transaction is detected and Canadian officials are identified as the perpetrators.
"But is it riskier to act, or to avoid any action, when we see a very clear risk on the side of the U.S. government, which wants us to be much more muscular in our response to the fentanyl crisis?" asks Wilczynski.
What you need to know
- The Communications Security Establishment (CSE) will join the fight against drug cartels, at the request of the Prime Minister.
- The organization will be able to intercept communications, but also carry out cyberattacks abroad.
- Traditionally, CSE has focused on terrorists, hostile governments, hackers, and support for the military.
CSE employs 3,500 people and has an annual budget of more than $1 billion dedicated primarily to strengthening Canada's cyber security, as well as intercepting communications abroad for intelligence purposes. Since 2019, the agency has also been authorized to conduct "cyber operations" to weaken or eliminate the capabilities of an individual, group or state that seeks to harm Canada. CSE is prohibited by law from targeting Canadian citizens or any person on Canadian soil.
Communications Security Establishment Headquarters in Ottawa
In his directive, Justin Trudeau asks the organization to redirect part of its efforts to gather intelligence "about foreign transnational criminals involved in the trafficking of fentanyl, other illicit drugs and their precursor chemicals to North America."
He even openly asks him to move on to the attack in cyberspace. "I also direct that these funds be used to strengthen cyber operations [...] with the aim of thwarting these illicit supply chains," the directive states.
CSE Chief Caroline Xavier declined our request for an interview. A spokeswoman for the organization, Janny Bender Asselin, confirmed that its experts will participate in the offensive against organized crime. "Where appropriate, CSE may conduct foreign cyber operations to disrupt or reduce activities that threaten the safety and security of Canadians and our allies," the spokesperson added.
A new transparencyThe Canadian government almost never speaks so openly about the clandestine actions of its intelligence services. "It's very interesting! It's not something that happens often in the public domain," observes Artur Wilczynski, former director general of intelligence operations at CSE.
"It's something new, this transparency with Canadians," adds the expert, who is now a professional in residence at the University of Ottawa.
Artur Wilczynski, former Director General of Intelligence Operations at the Communications Security Establishment of Canada
Wilczynski said his former colleagues will appreciate the government's clear statement of priorities. "It will be very well received, and the fact that it is accompanied by funding will also be well received."
Defence Minister Bill Blair's office used the announcement to highlight CSE's role in the country's security. "CSE plays a key role in protecting Canadians from cyber threats and transnational organized crime, and we are strengthening this work with additional resources. Its experts are among the best: they work with our allies, within a strict legal framework, to provide foreign intelligence that helps weaken and disrupt these criminal networks," said Laurent de Casanove, the minister's press secretary.
Able to Actually Affect TargetsThe inability of police and prosecutors to use data intercepted by Canadian intelligence services in a criminal trial has long been a source of frustration among authorities. But the possibility of striking groups in cyberspace to disrupt their activities, without seeking a conviction in court, is increasingly being studied by law enforcement.
Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) Commissioner Mike Duheme confirmed in an interview with La Presse this week that he is looking forward to seeing what CSE can bring to the table in the fight against drug traffickers. "Maybe we couldn't use it for a criminal trial, but rather to dismantle a network," he explained.
CSE's contribution to the fight against transnational organized crime will certainly start with intelligence, believes Artur Wilczynski. Even if the information gathered is not admissible as evidence in court, it can help authorities better understand the sources, intentions and methods of criminal groups.
But offensives in cyberspace will also have a "much more direct" impact, according to Wilczynski.
"CSE has the ability to actually affect targets through its cyber operations, and the consequences can be very significant," Wilczynski said.
Subtle actionsIn the past, the organization has admitted to launching cyberattacks to disable a server used by foreign hackers, for example.
"But the actions can be much more subtle than taking a server out of the game," Wilczynski says.
He says he is not allowed to say too much about the techniques used, but he believes that citizens can observe how fraudsters and hackers act in cyberspace: phishing text messages, emails from a customer or partner, dissemination of false information. Then you just have to "use your imagination" to deduce how a government agency can disrupt the activities of a criminal group.
Hypothetically, it would be possible to change the formula for producing a substance in a file, to insert disinformation into a private conversation, to act to make them lose confidence in their network, their partners, to make them no longer know what is true or not.
Artur Wilczynski, former Director General of Intelligence Operations at CSE
This type of operation carries risks, "including a reputational risk to Canada," if a transaction is detected and Canadian officials are identified as the perpetrators.
"But is it riskier to act, or to avoid any action, when we see a very clear risk on the side of the U.S. government, which wants us to be much more muscular in our response to the fentanyl crisis?" asks Wilczynski.
