Security experts have pointed out a systemic issue that needs to be addressed after an IT outage affected Canadian border officers’ ability to identify potential security threats at the border. The outage, caused by an unforeseen technical problem during routine maintenance on Sept. 28, led to delays of up to 38 hours for cross-border truck drivers, and border officers missed crucial security lookouts.
According to the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA), these security lookouts are essential as they alert officers about individuals or shipments that could pose a threat to Canadians. Kelly Sundberg, a former CBSA officer and current border security researcher at Mount Royal University, expressed concern that unauthorized individuals might have entered the country during the outage period.
A CBSA spokesperson stated that safety and security standards were maintained during the system outage, emphasizing that border officers manually verified travelers’ identities and conducted necessary screenings. However, there was no confirmation on whether officers had access to security lookouts during the outage.
Mark Weber, president of the Customs and Immigration Union representing border officers, highlighted the challenge of not being able to access security lookouts promptly, potentially allowing threats to go undetected until the system was restored. He mentioned that officers had to work overtime to manage the backlog caused by the outage.
The Canadian Trucking Alliance (CTA) reported significant delays for truck drivers at the New York-Ontario land crossings, impacting supply chain productivity and potentially leading to factory shutdowns. CTA president Stephen Laskowski emphasized the importance of upgrading IT systems to secure the supply chain effectively.
Meanwhile, border security expert Christian Leuprecht emphasized the need for comprehensive reforms beyond just financial investments in IT systems. He stressed the importance of transitioning to a data-driven organization and addressing the complex interconnections between various systems for effective border security in the 21st century.