Parliamentary Committee Notes: RCMP Radio Communication
2022-2023 INDU – Contract for a Telecommunications System for the RCMP
Date: January 23, 2023
Classification: Unclassified
Fully releasable (ATIP)? Yes
Branch / Agency: RCMP
Proposed Response:
- The RCMP's ability to protect sensitive information is core to the delivery of its mandate.
- The RCMP uses “Push-to-Talk” two-way radios for communication between officers in the field and dispatchers. Alternatives, including cellular telephones, are not as secure since any encryption they may have is not controlled by the RCMP.
- For this reason, RCMP radios transmit and receive only encrypted voice communications using the Canadian Centre for Cyber Security's recommended encryption standard.
If pressed on the ability of Sinclair Technologies equipment to access RCMP communications:
- As I understand, the equipment procured from Sinclair Technologies by the RCMP pose no security concerns given their specific function, and do not have the capability to access encrypted RCMP radio communications.
Background:
The RCMP uses “Push-to-Talk” (PTT) two-way radios for communication between officers in the field and dispatchers. Alternatives, including cellular telephones, are not as secure since any encryption they may have is not controlled by the RCMP. They are built for general public use and not for public safety, and are typically less reliable due to overloading in times of crisis when police communication is particularly imperative.
A core requirement of the RCMP's radio systems is the ability to protect via encryption all voice transmissions and storage. RCMP radios transmit and receive only encrypted voice communications and use Advanced Encryption Standard (AES)-256 as recommended by the Canadian Centre for Cyber Security to protect the confidentiality of Unclassified, Protected A, and Protected B information.
Given its federal and contract policing role, the RCMP makes use of provincial, territorial and municipality-owned radio infrastructure where it exists and meets requirements. The sharing of radio infrastructure typically leads to reduced costs to each organization as opposed to each building its own system. Sharing also enhances voice interoperability and aligns with the Canadian Communications Interoperability Continuum published by Public Safety Canada. In jurisdictions where such infrastructure does not exist, the RCMP builds and operates its own radio systems. Regardless of whether its shared or owned infrastructure and systems, the end-to-end encryption is controlled by the RCMP.
Contacts:
Prepared by: Cameron Scobie, Senior Policy Advisor, Specialized Policing Services, 343-549-2681
Approved by: Bryan Larkin, Deputy Commissioner, Specialized Policing Services, 613-843-4631
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