Yes, thank you, and my thanks to this committee for providing the RCMP with an opportunity to appear today.
With me is Superintendent Tony Pickett, the officer in charge of the RCMP's Technological Crime Branch.
I would like to begin by addressing the issue of threats to the member for Provencher.
Ministers of the crown are entitled to receive RCMP protection in Canada and abroad, as needed, by virtue of section 17 of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police Regulations. If a minister or a member of Parliament feels their safety and security is in jeopardy, they should report it to the RCMP or the local police of jurisdiction.
Based on an evaluation of the information provided, the RCMP will assess the need for protective services and, if warranted, may initiate an investigation. We constantly review and monitor the security measures put in place for our protectees, and if needed, we will adjust our security package accordingly. Security packages are provided on a case-by-case basis, are intelligence led, and are commensurate with threat and risk assessments.
I'd like to begin by addressing the issue of threats to the member for Provencher.
Ministers of the crown are entitled to receive RCMP protection in Canada and abroad, as needed, by virtue of section 17 of the RCMP regulations. If a minister or a member of Parliament feels their safety and security is in jeopardy, they should report it to the RCMP or the local police of jurisdiction. Based on an evaluation of the information provided, the RCMP will assess the need for protective services and if warranted, may initiate an investigation.
We constantly review and monitor the security measures put in place for our protectees, and if needed we will adjust our security package accordingly. Security packages are provided on a case-by-case basis, are intelligence led, and are commensurate with threat and risk assessments.
We take all threats to ministers and members of Parliament very seriously, whether the threats are in the form of a threatening letter, in person, or through electronic or social media.
The Internet has revolutionized the way we communicate and has transformed our society. It continues to influence society at a pace and rate of growth that is on an exponential trajectory. These new and evolving technologies have brought about much positive advancement: instantaneous communications worldwide, the ability to share knowledge and to work collaboratively to more effectively conduct commerce, and the list goes on.
Nevertheless, these profound advances have their dark side and that is the use of technology for the purpose of cybercrime. The RCMP views cybercrime as any crime committed using a computer network and/or hardware device. The computer network or device could be the agent of the crime, the facilitator, or the target of the crime.
Advances in technology have created an environment where individuals achieve anonymity. Criminals exploit the faceless environment provided by the Internet to conceal their identity and conduct serious criminal activity.
Criminals are reinventing themselves online to facilitate criminal acts associated with fraud, facilitation of drug trafficking, sexual exploitation of children and money laundering, for example. At the same time, new cybercrimes have emerged, including hacking and theft of data where the computer, the network or data become the focus of the criminal activity.
As you know, the Internet and various forms of social media are being used as a means to promote social change, and for individuals and groups to express their freedom of expression. This can be positive when done in a lawful manner. Such campaigns can be compared to online versions of protests on Parliament Hill, petitions and peaceful protests.
Criminals are reinventing themselves online to facilitate criminal acts associated with fraud, facilitation of drug trafficking, sexual exploitation of children, and money laundering, for example. At the same time, new cybercrimes have emerged, including hacking and theft of data where the computer, the network, or data become the focus of the criminal activity.
As you know, the Internet and various forms of social media are being used as a means to promote social change, and for individuals and groups to express their freedom of expression. This can be positive when done in a lawful manner. Such campaigns can be compared to online versions of protests on Parliament Hill, petitions, and organizing peaceful protests.
The vast majority of those who use social media to reach out do so with positive intentions and within the law, however, there are others with very different objectives and methods of achieving their goals. Certain groups would have us believe that they are the sole agents of social change. Our current understanding of some of these cyber-groups is that they can be best described as a movement with undefined membership. They offer a forum for like-minded individuals or groups to express similar ideologies. Few of these individuals or groups represent themselves as criminal organizations. However, their tactics sometimes violate criminal laws in countries where they purport to operate.
Cybercrime is growing at an alarming rate around the globe. Investigating cyber-threats or cybercrime is an evolving and challenging domain. However, the RCMP remains committed to enforcing the laws, apprehending criminals and providing for a safe and secure Canada.
Cybercrime is growing at an alarming rate around the globe. Investigating cyber-threats or cybercrime is an evolving and challenging domain, however the RCMP remains committed to enforcing the laws, apprehending criminals, and providing for a safe and secure Canada.
Thank you.