Introduction
communications networks that connect across the country and around the
world, energy to heat our homes and power our industry, and air, train, and
road travel we use every day.
We tend to take this connectivity for granted, without pausing to reflect on
its implications. Cyber security cannot be taken for granted. As the benefits
and opportunities of technologies continue to grow, it is increasingly
crucial to secure these technologies.
Taking Stock of a Changing Landscape
In 2016, the Government of Canada took the first step toward developing
a new Cyber Security Strategy. The Cyber Review was launched to
understand the cyber security implications of being a connected nation,
CYBER SECURITY SNAPSHOT:
THE BENEFITS OF BACKING UP
Jacqueline is a small business owner who
sells crafts through an online store. One day,
and to position the Government of Canada to establish a new approach that
Jacqueline receives an email from a customer
reflects the challenges and opportunities we face.
who is complaining about a broken piece. The
customer attaches a picture of the product,
The Cyber Review sought to take stock of the evolving threats in
cyberspace, to understand and explore the ways that cyber security
is becoming a driver of economic prosperity, and to determine the
but when Jacqueline opens the attachment
she finds that she is locked out of her
computer. A message appears indicating that
her computer will only be unlocked if she
appropriate federal role in this digital age. The Cyber Review included
pays a ransom of $1,000 to the perpetrator.
in-depth engagement within the federal government cyber security
Fortunately, Jacqueline regularly backs up
community, an evaluation of our performance under the 2010 Strategy,
as well as Canada’s first public consultation on cyber security. The
her computer. She wipes her hard drive,
eliminating the malware that was delivered
through the email attachment and restores
Government of Canada obtained insights and advice from experts, key
the backup, which allows her to access all
stakeholders, and engaged citizens.
her documents.
8 of 35 • NATIONAL CYBER SECURITY STRATEGY
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