[ISN] Potash hackers a wake-up call for lawyers

http://www.theglobeandmail.com/report-on-business/small-business/sb-growth/day-to-day/potash-hackers-a-wake-up-call-for-lawyers/article2261700/

By TONY WILSON
Special to Globe and Mail
Dec. 06, 2011

Reports last week revealed that computer hackers in China who had 
“attacked” the federal Department of Finance, Treasury Board and 
departments within the Saskatchewan government in 2010 were attempting 
to obtain confidential information about the $40 billion takeover 
attempt of Potash Corp. of Saskatchewan by Australian company BHP 
Billiton Ltd., a sale Ottawa refused to approve.

Although friends and colleagues in Saskatchewan told me they were 
flattered that both “Saskatchewan” and “potash” were the subject of 
international intrigue, high-tech espionage and a potential plot for a 
James Bond movie, one of the most interesting aspects to the story was 
that the hackers also targeted the two primary Toronto law firms 
involved in the transaction: Blake Cassels & Graydon LLP, which 
represented BHP, and Stikeman Elliott LLP, which represented Potash 
Corp.

The law firms had sophisticated Internet security systems in place to 
prevent the malware from accessing and disclosing any confidential 
information about the transaction or any other client information. But 
the fact cyber-spies interested in the potash deal would attack law 
firms for information that might give them, their “customer,” or perhaps 
their country an edge, should reinforce within the legal community the 
importance of continuously maintaining and updating online security. If 
cyber spies can’t get the intelligence they want from the source, they 
might target its legal, accounting and other professional service 
providers.

[...]


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