The Canadian Centre for Cyber Security has released its 2023 update report on Cyber Threats to Canada’s Democratic Process – highlighting a rise in cyber threats worldwide and the growing use of generative AI to spread disinformation.
Among the threats identified in the report was an increase in cyber threats targeting elections worldwide, with more than one quarter of national elections affected in 2022. The report says based on that trend, cyber threat activity is more likely to happen in the next federal election than has been the case in the past.
Via Cyber Threats to Canada’s Democratic Process: 2023 update
The report also found that Russia and China continue to conduct most of the attributed cyber threat activity targeting foreign elections, however, those involved in cyber threats are getting better at covering their tracks.
Also concerning, says Chief of the Communications Security Establishment, Caroline Xavier, is the use of generative AI in spreading disinformation through deep fakes.
“AI generated deep fakes can create a video of something that never happened, and put words into politicians’ mouths that they never said. Social bot net(work)s enhanced by AI can artificially amplify disinformation that’s already out there that fan the flames of political discord and push people to more extreme positions.” -Caroline Xavier
