ARCHIVED - Harper Government Invests in Cyber Security

OTTAWA, October 17, 2012 — The Honourable Vic Toews, Minister of Public Safety, today announced funding to further implement Canada's Cyber Security Strategy and strengthen Canada's efforts to achieve a secure, stable, and resilient digital infrastructure. Minister Toews was accompanied by Shelly Glover, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Finance, at an event highlighting Cyber Security Awareness Month.

“Canadians and Canadian businesses want to know that the private information they entrust to government will stay private. Today's announcement further secures government systems that deliver services to all Canadians and complements additional efforts under Canada's Cyber Security Strategy to protect Canadians from cyber threats,” said Minister Toews. “Our Government is continuously working to enhance cyber security in Canada by identifying cyber threats and vulnerabilities, and by preparing for and responding to all kinds of cyber incidents to better protect Canada and Canadians.”

The Government of Canada is investing an additional $155 million over five years to reinforce federal government information technology infrastructure and improve the detection of, and response to, continually evolving cyber threats. This funding is part of the ongoing implementation of Canada's Cyber Security Strategy, and is in addition to the previous allocation of $90 million over five years and $18 million ongoing announced in October 2010.

“Canadians interact with government online more and more. To ensure a continued secure, reliable and uninterrupted service, we have enhanced the security of government networks and systems to protect against malicious cyber threats,” said Parliamentary Secretary Glover. “This will increase protection for the private information of Canadians, Canadian businesses and government information processed through our systems.”

This funding includes investments to enhance the capacity of the Canadian Cyber Incident Response Centre (CCIRC) at Public Safety Canada.  In support of Public Safety Canada's mandate to build a safe and resilient Canada, CCIRC's role is to help ensure the security and resilience of the vital non-government cyber systems that underpin Canada's national security, public safety, and economic prosperity. CCIRC does this by providing authoritative advice and support, and coordinating information sharing and incident response, in conjunction with its domestic and international partners to address high-level cyber security concerns.

Canada's Cyber Security Strategy, launched in October 2010, is the Government of Canada's comprehensive plan for preventing, minimizing, and addressing the impact of cyber threats. The Strategy represents the government's commitment to keep Canadians safe in cyberspace, and to keep Canada safe, secure, and prosperous.

Get Cyber Safe is the national public awareness campaign created to educate Canadians about Internet security and the simple steps individuals can take to protect themselves online. The campaign's goal is to bring together all levels of government, the public and private sectors, and the international community, to help Canadians be safer online.

Cyber Security Awareness Month is recognized each October to remind individuals about how to become aware of cyber risks and how to protect themselves online.

Backgrounder

• Investing in Cyber Security

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Information:
Media Relations
Public Safety Canada
613-991-0657

Julie Carmichael
Director of Communications
Office of the Minister of Public Safety
613-991-2924

Date modified:

2015-11-26