The Regional District of Nanaimo (RDN) temporarily locked down its systems after being alerted to a vulnerability in one of its online platforms.
The RDN received three emails, including one on Dec. 1, which raised concerns about access to property information through the RDN Geographical Information System (GIS) platform — an online search tool available to the public.
An investigation determined the land ownership information that was accessed through the GIS platform was not private in nature and is within the public domain.
The RDN said it has heightened its system’s security based on the information gathered through the investigation and has removed ownership information from the GIS platform. The RDN said people can still use the platform and other online systems safely.
“The RDN takes the protection of information very seriously and has systems and procedures in place to ensure the security of its data and respond to any potential vulnerability,” said Tyler Brown, RDN chair.
The RDN reported the incidents to the Office of the Information and Privacy Commissioner (OIPC). The OIPC and RCMP are both investigating and the RDN said it is working with an external organization that specializes in network and cyber security to proactively review its security.
