Advancing Cybersecurity in Canada

The various things that make cybercrime so appealing to criminals (anonymity and subterfuge) are the same things that have made it so challenging for governments and law enforcement agencies to get ahead of it. Fortunately, by working together, the Canadian government, private organizations, education institutions and the Canadian public are creating more security in the electronic world. 


The government of Canada announced a new national cybersecurity strategy and the Canadian Centre for Cyber Security in 2018. This collaboration is growing in its scope and accomplishments. Interested in being part of this force that creates positive change? There is a constant need for trained cybersecurity professionals at all levels of skill and in a variety of industries. 

According to Statistics Canada, the number of cybercrime incidents has grown from 17,887 reported to police or RCMP in 2015 to 44,136 in 2019. Numbers can be expected to be even higher as not all cases are reported. More than 16,000 incidents in 2018 were fraud-based. In 2017 businesses spent about $14 billion on prevention, detection, and recovery from cybersecurity issues. 

Among the business incidents reported in 2017, attempts to steal money or extort a ransom payment for data or other forms of information topped the list after incidents with an unknown motive. Attempts at accessing unauthorized or protected areas were next on the list. 

The Scope of the Canadian Strategy 

The strategy focuses on protecting Canadian government systems, protection of critical infrastructure and assisting Canadians in their own online security. The ongoing commitment by the government includes: 

  • Protect the safety and security of Canadians and critical infrastructure 
  • Promote and protect rights and freedoms online 
  • Encourage cybersecurity for business, economic growth and prosperity 
  • Collaborate and support coordination across jurisdictions and sectors to strengthen Canada's cyber resilience 
  • Proactively adapt to changes in the cybersecurity landscape and the emergence of new technology

This will begin with securing government systems. While the government of Canada notes that data breaches have steadily declined since 2010, there is an increase in the number of and sophistication in cybercrimes against government networks. This reduction in breaches is a credit to the individuals who have stepped up to meet the demand for cybersecurity experts. These individuals have taken security+ training, network+ training, CySA+ training and other cybersecurity courses to join the teams that are helping to anticipate, prevent, block, and recover from cybercrimes. 

The strategy then moves into partnerships with owners and operators of Canada’s critical infrastructure outside of the federal government. This has led to arrangements with the private sector as well as provincial and territorial governments expanding the Canadian Cyber Incident Response Centre’s (CCIRC) operations and now includes more than 1,300 organizations participating in receiving regular alerts and communications about cybersecurity incidents. 

Finally, as noted previously, one of the key elements is helping Canadians stay safe and secure in an increasingly online world. The Get Cyber Safe campaign was launched to include awareness and activities for Canadians. Additionally, the RCMP and other law enforcement agencies have seen an improved capacity in their abilities to identify, detect, investigate, and combat cybercrime. 

How Working Together Brings Greater Security and Opportunity 

As the activities from the Canadian strategy continue to grow and evolve, everyone in the cyber landscape will be seeking expertise to help organizations get, and stay, ahead of the challenges. This means there is a huge opportunity for those interested in cybersecurity training. 

Because of the partnership of the Canadian government, private businesses, education institutions and the willing public, Canadians will be better able to prevent and react to cybercrimes. It is the sheer fact that all these parties can be both victims to and preventers of cybercrime that makes the partnership so effective. 

The group effort will support research, foster innovation, identify gaps in skills and knowledge and identify new threats quickly to keep them at a minimum of harm financially, resource-wise, and emotionally.

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