After cyber attack, Canada unveils network changes

The Canadian government announced plans Thursday to consolidate email programs and network services to boost cyber security, after revelations of breaches in network security.

Canada's federal government currently uses more than 100 different email systems, 300 data centers and 3,000 network services.

Email will be merged into one system in an effort to make the information more secure as well as less costly, Public Works Minister Rona Ambrose said in a statement.

The government will also reduce its information systems from the current 300 to less than 20.

The changes will "strengthen security and the safety of government data to ensure Canadians are protected," Ambrose added.

Ottawa plans to streamline the more than 3,000 electronic networks within and between government departments and agencies.

Over 70 international organizations, including the United Nations and other governments, were victims of a large-scale cyber attack orchestrated over the past few years, cyber security firm McAfee revealed this week.

Canada, which was among the cyber-attack victims, will consolidate over the course of two years in order to transform the defense architecture of its information systems.

The Conservative government hopes to save $100-200 million dollars by reducing overall costs.

(c) 2011 AFP