Combatting cybercrime

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• Federal Policing Cybercrime Program
• Teams and resources

Federal Policing Cybercrime Program

The Federal Policing Cybercrime Program investigates the highest levels of cybercrime threatening Canadians and our national interests. This includes cybercrime directed against:

• Institutions of government
• Critical infrastructure of national importance
• Key Canadian institutions and business assets with a high-economic impact

Federal Policing Cybercrime works closely with domestic and international partners to investigate, prosecute and disrupt significant threats within the cybercrime ecosystem, such as:

• Cybercrime conducted by hostile foreign actors to facilitate sabotage and espionage
• Cybercrime conducted by advanced persistent threats (APTs) or sophisticated cybercriminal groups
• Malware developers and distributers
• Cybercrime infrastructure creators and operators (for example botnets and illicit internet hosting services)
• Financial services and networks that help launder proceeds of cybercrime
• Illicit online marketplaces and forums that promote and sell cybercrime tools and services (for example, ransomware-as-a-service, phishing-as-a-service, and initial access brokers). 

We combat these cyber threats by:

• Identifying and prioritizing cybercrime threats based on intelligence
• Prioritizing operations
• Conducting criminal investigations to disrupt and/or prosecute cybercrime activities
• Seizing digital evidence in support of cybercrime investigations
• Exploring new ways to keep pace with cybercriminals
• Collaborating with domestic and international partners and stakeholders

Our cybercrime investigations may involve:

• Specialized technical investigative techniques
• Cybercrime infrastructure takedowns
• Arrests and seizures
• Confidential informants
• Undercover operations

Teams and resources

Federal Policing has various teams, specialists and resources responsible for investigating cybercrime.

Federal Policing Cybercrime Investigative Teams

There are five dedicated teams located across the country in Montréal, Ottawa, Toronto, Edmonton and Vancouver. These teams are responsible for leading cybercrime investigations that support the Federal Policing mandate.

Federal Policing Cybercrime Intelligence Analysts

Analysts provide intelligence on cybercrime threats. Their products may lead to opening an investigation or support an existing investigation.

Cybercrime Liaison Officers and Specialists Abroad

Specialists deployed abroad support cybercrime investigations by establishing and maintaining strategic and operational relationships with Canada's key international law enforcement partners. This international footprint enables Federal Policing Cybercrime to generate investigative leads and actively participate in joint international cybercrime operations and initiatives.