Plan to enhance protection of Canadian cyberspace for years to come OTTAWA, October 3, 2010 - Today, the Honourable Vic Toews, Canada's Minister of Public Safety and the Honourable Christian Paradis, Minister of Natural Resources, launched a strategy that will enhance protection from cyber threats for Canadian governments, industries and families from coast to coast to coast. Canada's Cyber Security Strategy delivers on the Government's 2010 Speech from the Throne commitment to boost Canada's cyberspace against the growing threat of cyber crimes.
"The internet has become an invaluable tool for Canadian families, businesses and governments," said Minister Toews. "But just as cyberspace is constantly evolving, so too are the cyber threats to our security, prosperity and quality of life. It's time to take protection of Canada's cyberspace to the next level and that's exactly what Canada's Cyber Security Strategy will do."
The Strategy will invest in securing Government of Canada systems, as well as partnering with other governments and with industry to ensure systems vital to Canadian security, economic prosperity and quality of life are protected. It also includes boosting education and awareness to better help Canadians keep their personal information safe and secure when online at home and at work.
"Canadians want to be prepared for all types of 21st century cyber security threats, and they want to be assured that information being stored and shared in Government computers is protected," said the Honourable Rona Ambrose, Minister of Public Works and Government Services. "By launching this Strategy our Government is strengthening our threat monitoring and response capabilities, and I am pleased to announce a $3.5 million investment for the Government of Canada's round-the-clock Information Protection Centre to combat all types of hackers and cyber attacks."
This investment is part of Budget 2010: Leading the Way on Jobs and Growth, which allocated $90 million over five years, and $18 million in ongoing funding, towards the Cyber Security Strategy.
"A secure cyberspace is vital to sustaining and building Canada's economic advantage. We all have a role to play," said Minister Paradis. "The Government of Canada is doing its part to help secure Canada's vital cyber systems, like those that protect our critical energy infrastructure, and to help Canadians protect themselves, their families and their personal information online."
"The Strategy complements the efforts of the digital economy strategy in Canada and builds upon legislation introduced by the Government, such as anti-spam legislation set out in the Fighting Internet and Wireless Spam Act and amendments to the Criminal Code to create new offences related to obtaining, possessing and trafficking in identity documents or identity information," said the Honourable Tony Clement, Minister of Industry.
Each October, government and business leaders promote Cyber Security Awareness Month to remind individuals how to protect themselves and to guard against cyber crime. By promoting Cyber Security Awareness Month, the Government of Canada is helping Canadians protect themselves and their families online.
For more information on how to protect yourself online and to consult Canada's Cyber Security Strategy, visit the Public Safety Canada Website at:
www.publicsafety.gc.ca/cyber.
