Nova Scotia Power Cyberattack: What Customers Need to Know and What Comes Next

Nova Scotia Power, the largest electricity provider in the province, is currently dealing with the fallout from a major cyberattack that exposed sensitive customer data and disrupted its IT systems. Though power services remain unaffected, the breach has caused significant operational setbacks, including a temporary halt to billing and online account access. This article breaks down what happened, the steps taken so far, and the broader implications of this incident for both customers and the energy sector.

The Breach in Detail: What Happened at Nova Scotia Power

The cyberattack, detected in late April but originating around March 19, 2025, allowed unauthorized access to various IT systems within Nova Scotia Power. While electricity generation, transmission, and distribution continued without interruption, the breach compromised a vast amount of personal information belonging to customers.

Affected data includes names, contact details (phone numbers and emails), mailing and service addresses, birth dates, participation in company programs, account histories such as power usage and billing, and even sensitive identifiers like driver’s license numbers, Social Insurance Numbers, and, in some cases, bank account numbers tied to automatic payments.

In response, Nova Scotia Power immediately suspended billing activities and disabled their online customer portal to prevent further issues. The company is collaborating with external cybersecurity specialists to investigate and contain the damage, though the exact nature of the attack remains under wraps. Experts suspect the incident may involve ransomware, a common tactic used by cybercriminals to lock or steal data for ransom.

Affected customers have been notified through mailed letters that include details about the breach and instructions on how to get support. To help guard against identity theft or fraud, Nova Scotia Power is offering free two-year credit monitoring services through TransUnion’s myTrueIdentity® platform. Customers are also warned to be cautious of phishing attempts pretending to be from the utility.

What Undercode Say:

The cyberattack on Nova Scotia Power is a stark reminder of how vulnerable critical infrastructure remains in an increasingly hostile digital landscape. Although the energy company managed to avoid service disruptions, the breach exposed highly sensitive customer information, highlighting the challenge utilities face in balancing operational continuity with cybersecurity.

The pause in billing and online access indicates the attack’s operational impact, forcing the company to take a cautious approach to prevent further damage. The provision of credit monitoring and the emphasis on phishing awareness show a customer-centric response aimed at minimizing the fallout from identity theft or financial fraud.

From an industry perspective, this incident fits a troubling pattern. Utilities and infrastructure providers have become prime targets for cybercriminals motivated by financial gain or geopolitical objectives. Ransomware, in particular, continues to be a dominant threat, capable of crippling business operations and leaking personal data.

The investigative process Nova Scotia Power is undertaking is critical, not only to understand how the breach occurred but to strengthen defenses against future attacks. Transparency and communication with customers are equally important to rebuild trust after such a breach.

For customers, vigilance remains key. Cybercriminals often exploit such incidents with phishing scams that appear legitimate. The company’s warning to avoid clicking unknown links or sharing personal details is crucial advice.

Going forward, this incident will likely accelerate calls for tougher regulations, enhanced cybersecurity standards, and increased investment in technology to protect critical infrastructure. Nova Scotia Power’s experience should serve as a case study for other utilities to reevaluate their own defenses and crisis response strategies.

The broader lesson here is clear: as cyber threats grow more sophisticated, proactive and transparent responses coupled with ongoing customer support can mitigate the damage, but prevention remains the best defense.

Fact Checker Results

The reported details about the Nova Scotia Power breach align with official company statements and expert cybersecurity assessments. No evidence suggests the breach disrupted electricity service, supporting the claim that only IT systems were affected. The offer of credit monitoring services is consistent with industry best practices following data exposure.

Prediction

In the coming months, Nova Scotia Power will likely deepen its cybersecurity overhaul, adopting more advanced threat detection and response tools. Regulatory bodies may impose stricter requirements for utilities to safeguard customer data and operational systems. Additionally, we can expect increased public awareness campaigns about phishing and cyber hygiene as companies work to prevent attackers from exploiting data breaches for secondary attacks. This incident might also push the energy sector toward greater collaboration with government agencies to counter rising cyber threats targeting critical infrastructure.