Introduction
On September 26, 2013, the Canadian Securities Administrators ("CSA") issued Staff Notice 11-326 Cyber Security ("Staff Notice"). The Staff Notice highlights the importance of strong and individually-tailored cyber security measures for issuers, registrants and regulated entities, as such controls promote the reliability of their operations and the security of their confidential information. The Staff Notice identifies two major types of cyber threats in particular that have increased in sophistication and frequency: Denial of Service attacks and Advanced Persistent Threats.
CSA Recommendations for Issuers
The CSA notes that issuers, registrants and regulated entities should be aware of the risks and challenges posed by cyber crime and should take appropriate measures to protect themselves. In particular, the CSA provides the following guidance:
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Those issuers, registrants and regulated entities that have not
yet addressed the issue should consider how to best address the
risks of cyber crime, including:
- Educating staff regarding security of information and computer systems,
- Following guidance and best practices from industry and security associations, and
- Conducting appropriate third-party vulnerability and security assessments;
- Those issuers, registrants and regulated entities that have already taken steps to address the issue should review their cyber security risk control measures on a regular basis;
- Issuers should consider whether any issues with respect to cyber crime are such that they need to be disclosed in a prospectus or continuous disclosure filing;
- Registrants should consider whether they are able to manage cyber crime risk in accordance with prudent business practices; and
- Regulated entities should consider the measures necessary to address the risks of cyber crime.
The Staff Notice further notes that the CSA will consider these issues in its reviews of issuer disclosure and in its oversight of registrants and regulated entities going forward.
The foregoing provides only an overview. Readers are cautioned against making any decisions based on this material alone. Rather, a qualified lawyer should be consulted.
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