Digital Forensics Services (DFS)
In order to combat computer-based crimes, O Division formed the Digital Forensics Services (DFS) in 1998. The unit’s mission is to provide forensic expertise in computer-assisted crime investigations.
O Division DFS members have a wide range of policing experience which is an asset for digital forensic examination of data. The Unit also employs civilian members who assist in the research and implementation of new technologies to aid with these investigations. Members of the DFS have strong computer backgrounds and are continually upgrading their skills to stay on top of the ever changing world of technology.
Consistent with the Government of Canada’s efforts to make cyberspace more secure for all citizens, the RCMP Cybercrime Strategy identifies and prioritizes cybercrime threats through intelligence collection and analysis; pursuing cybercrime through targeted enforcement and investigative action; and supporting cybercrime investigations with specialized skills, tools and training.
Under this broad lens, cybercrime is broken into two categories:
- technology-as-target - criminal offences targeting computers and other information technologies, such as those involving the unauthorized use of computers or mischief in relation to data, and;
- technology-as-instrument - criminal offences where the Internet and information technologies are instrumental in the commission of a crime, such as those involving fraud, identity theft, intellectual property infringements, money laundering, drug trafficking, human trafficking, organized crime or terrorist activities, child sexual exploitation or cyber bullying.
Reporting cybercrime
On a personal level, cybercrimes may target individuals through online scams or other fraudulent techniques. To report an individual cyber incident of a criminal nature contact your local police force of jurisdiction, the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre (for spam, phishing, scams and fraud), Cybertip (online sexual exploitation of children) or consult the Canadian Centre for Cyber Security for other reporting resources.
Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre
The Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre (CAFC) is Canada’s trusted source for reporting and mitigating online mass marketing fraud. It is a partnership between the RCMP, Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) and the Competition Bureau. Additional information and online reporting may be found at: Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre.
National Child Exploitation Coordination Centre
The RCMP National Child Exploitation Coordination Centre (NCECC) works with law enforcement partners, government agencies, non-government organizations and industry stakeholders across Canada and internationally to combat the online sexual exploitation of children. The NCECC also works closely with the Canadian Centre for Child Protection, an organization that operates Canada’s national tip line. For more information or to report online sexual exploitation of children visit Cybertip.ca.
Cybercrime threats are also facilitated by organized crime networks and cause significant economic losses to Canadian businesses and citizens. On a commercial level, these threats target financial institutions, large-scale retailers and other organizations to steal personal consumer information, such as online passwords and credit card information, or to gain insider knowledge on intellectual property or trade secrets.
On a national security level, state-sponsored and other criminal threat actors use sophisticated and covert cyber capabilities to perform espionage, steal sensitive information or to potentially conduct more disruptive attacks against Canada's critical infrastructure and other vital cyber systems.
To report cybercrime on a commercial or national security level contact the RCMP or the Canadian Centre for Cyber Security.
- Date modified: