Objective 3.2: Improve Capacity to Combat Cybercrime Canadians expect to access a safe and secure digital Canada. Cybercrime encompasses a broad range of malicious activities, such as ransomware and cyber-enabled fraud, and uninvited interference in networks and systems belonging to organizations, including Canada’s most vital cyber systems and critical infrastructure. It is perpetrated by states, organized crime groups, as well as less sophisticated cybercriminals who purchase cybercrime services to carry out their activities. Ransomware is the most prevalent and disruptive form of cybercrime in Canada; the majority of requests for assistance received by the National Cybercrime Coordination Centre50 (NC3) relate to ransomware. Canadians also continue to report record losses from cyber-enabled fraud, and this cost is growing. This is money taken away from fuelling Canada’s economic growth. To protect Canadians and secure growth of Canada’s economy, a strong response is required. The Royal Canadian Mounted Police’s51 (RCMP) National Cybercrime Coordination Centre52 (NC3) coordinates and enables cybercrime investigations across jurisdictions, both within Canada and abroad; provides investigative advice and technical capabilities to other law enforcement organizations; and produces actionable cybercrime intelligence for Canadian police. The RCMP also engages with law enforcement partners to address cybercrime. This includes engagement with Europol’s European Cybercrime Centre53 (EC3), the U.S.-based National Cyber-Forensics and Training Alliance54 (NCFTA), as well as through RCMP Liaison Officers and Analysts deployed in strategic locations. The RCMP’s NC3 is also part of the International Cyber Offender Prevention Network55. The network includes law enforcement agencies from 26 countries and is aimed at preventing cybercrime offender activity through educational resources, social media campaigns, and other innovative measures. 50 51 52 53 54 55 https://www.rcmp-grc.gc.ca/en/nc3 https://www.rcmp-grc.gc.ca/ https://www.rcmp-grc.gc.ca/en/nc3 https://www.europol.europa.eu/about-europol/european-cybercrime-centre-ec3 https://www.ncfta.net/ https://www.europol.europa.eu/partners-collaboration/networks/intercop-international-cyber-offender-prevention-network 28 National Cyber Security Strategy