The rapid advancement and penetration of cyber and digital technologies is changing the world, and with it, the landscape of public safety. Every day there are new reports of data breaches, new kinds of online fraud, and criminals are increasingly moving traditional forms of crime online to evade detection and justice.
Even though cybercrime takes place online, the effects are no less real or destructive as traditional forms of crime and Police Services are mandated to ensure public safety, regardless of what platform criminals are operating on. Currently, law enforcement has limited capacity to investigate cybercrimes; and deal with the proliferation of digital evidence.
A Cyber Strategy for Ontario Law Enforcement is needed to position Ontario’s police agencies to meet the challenges posed by advancement in internet and digital technologies now and in the future. In January 2017, the OACP Cyber Strategy Working Group developed a Discussion Paper as a starting point for discussions and the eventual development of an Ontario Strategy.