March 2003

Security Measures being considered for Canada

Security is a growing concern in many fronts. This article focuses on the Internet since that is how many of us become exposed and with the growing number of offices integrating the Internet in their day-to-day use, some measures should be taken to insure your security.

The Canadian government, including the ‘Department of Justice’ and ‘Industry Canada’, wrote the 21-page blueprint as a near-final step in a process that seeks to give law enforcement agents more authority to conduct electronic surveillance. A proposed law based on the discussion draft, is expected to be introduced in Parliament in early 2003.

Canadian officials say such laws are necessary to fight terrorism and combat even run-of-the-mill crimes. They also claim that by enacting these proposals, Canada will be following its obligations under the Council of Europe's cyber-crime treaty, which the country is in the process of considering.

Items being considered in relation to cyber-security:

•Thinking of having ISPs (Internet Service Providers), to have the general requirement of Internet interception capabilities.

•Government involvement in how Internet intercepted data is to be regulated.

•Compliance mechanisms to ensure ISPs are following new government regulations.

•Requirements to ISPs to hold Internet related traffic data on all individuals from 3-6 months (data-preservation).

•Changes under the criminal code for the acquisition of intercepted emails.

•It would outlaw the possession of computer viruses.

•The most sweeping change the legal blueprint contemplates is compelling Internet providers and telephone companies to reconfigure their networks to facilitate government eavesdropping and data-retention orders. (The United States has a similar requirement, called the Communications Assistance for Law Enforcement Act, but it applies only to pre-Internet telecommunications companies.)

•Another section of the proposal says the Canadian Association of Chiefs of Police recommends "the establishment of a national database" with personal information about all Canadian Internet users. "The implementation of such a database would presuppose that service providers are compelled to provide accurate and current information," the draft says.

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