Defining cybercrime The RCMP interprets cybercrime to be any crime where cyber - the Internet and information technologies, such as computers, tablets, personal digital assistants or mobile devices - has a substantial role in the commission of a criminal offence. Under this broad lens, the RCMP breaks cybercrime into two categories: • technology-as-target - criminal offences targeting computers and other information technologies, such as those involving the unauthorized use of computers or mischief in relation to data, and; • technology-as-instrument - criminal offences where the Internet and information technologies are instrumental in the commission of a crime, such as those involving fraud, identity theft, intellectual property infringements, money laundering, drug trafficking, human trafficking, organized crime or terrorist activities, child sexual exploitation or cyber bullying. Prevalence of cybercrime RCMP statistics suggest that cybercrime is increasing in Canada. In 2013, the RCMP received over 4,400 reported incidents of cybercrime: an increase of more than 40% (over 1,300 reported incidents) from 2011. The majority of reported cybercrime incidents involve technology-as-instrument offences, but reported cybercrime incidents involving technology-as-target offences are on the rise. In a small number of reported cybercrime incidents, the type of offence could not be determined as either technology-as-instrument or technology-as-target (i.e. Unknown). Additional information on cybercrime Additional information on cybercrime, including expanded definitions and select case studies, may be found in the RCMP’s first public report on cybercrime, Cybercrime: an overview of incidents and issues in Canada (available online at: http://www.rcmp-grc.gc.ca/pubs/cc-report-rapport-cc-eng.htm). Royal Canadian Mounted Police Cybercrime Strategy 7