Canadian Survey of Cyber Security and Cybercrime - 2019

Archived Content

Information identified as archived is provided for reference, research or record keeping purposes. It is not subject to the Government of Canada Web Standards and has not been altered or updated since it was archived. Please contact us to request a format other than those available.

For Information onlyThis is an electronic survey example for information purposes only. This is not a working questionnaire.

Show all instructions

INFORMATION FOR RESPONDENTS

Purpose

The purpose of the 2019 Canadian Survey of Cyber Security and Cybercrime is to measure the impact of cybercrime on Canadian businesses.

The survey gathers information about:
- The measures businesses have implemented for cyber security, including employee training;
- The types of cyber security incidents that impact businesses; and
- The costs associated with preventing and recovering from cyber security incidents.

Additional information

Your information may also be used by Statistics Canada for other statistical and research purposes.
Your participation in this survey is required under the authority of the Statistics Act.

Authority

Data are collected under the authority of the Statistics Act, Revised Statutes of Canada, 1985, Chapter S-19.

Confidentiality

By law, Statistics Canada is prohibited from releasing any information it collects that could identify any person, business, or organization, unless consent has been given by the respondent, or as permitted by the Statistics Act. Statistics Canada will use the information from this survey for statistical purposes only.

Data-sharing agreements

To reduce respondent burden, Statistics Canada has entered into data-sharing agreements with provincial and territorial statistical agencies and other government organizations, which have agreed to keep the data confidential and use them only for statistical purposes. Statistics Canada will only share data from this survey with those organizations that have demonstrated a requirement to use the data.

Section 11 of the Statistics Act provides for the sharing of information with provincial and territorial statistical agencies that meet certain conditions. These agencies must have the legislative authority to collect the same information, on a mandatory basis, and the legislation must provide substantially the same provisions for confidentiality and penalties for disclosure of confidential information as the Statistics Act. Because these agencies have the legal authority to compel businesses to provide the same information, consent is not requested and businesses may not object to the sharing of the data.

For this survey, there are Section 11 agreements with the provincial and territorial statistical agencies of Newfoundland and Labrador, Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, Quebec, Ontario, Manitoba, Saskatchewan, Alberta, British Columbia and the Yukon.

The shared data will be limited to information pertaining to business establishments located within the jurisdiction of the respective province or territory.

Section 12 of the Statistics Act provides for the sharing of information with federal, provincial or territorial government organizations. Under Section 12, you may refuse to share your information with any of these organizations by writing a letter of objection to the Chief Statistician, specifying the organizations with which you do not want Statistics Canada to share your data and mailing it to the following address:

Chief Statistician of Canada
Statistics Canada
Attention of Director, Investment, Science and Technology Division
150 Tunney's Pasture Driveway
Ottawa, ON
K1A 0T6

You may also contact us by email at statcan.istdinformation-distinformation.statcan@canada.ca.

For this survey, there are Section 12 agreements with the statistical agencies of Prince Edward Island, Northwest Territories and Nunavut, as well as with Public Safety Canada; Royal Canadian Mounted Police; Natural Resources Canada; Communications Security Establishment; Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada; and Public Services and Procurement Canada.

For agreements with provincial and territorial government organizations, the shared data will be limited to information pertaining to business establishments located within the jurisdiction of the respective province or territory.

Record linkage

To enhance the data from this survey and to reduce respondent burden, Statistics Canada may combine it with information from other surveys or from administrative sources.

Reporting instructions

For this questionnaire:

Please complete this questionnaire for Canadian operations of this business.

Reporting instructions:

-Report dollar amounts in Canadian dollars.
-Report dollar amounts rounded to the nearest dollar.
-If precise figures are not available, provide your best estimate.
-Enter "0" if there is no value to report.

Business characteristics

Business characteristics - Question identifier:1

Which of the following does your business currently use? Select all that apply.

: Website for your business
: Social media accounts for your business
: E-commerce platforms and solutions
: Web-based applications
: Open source software
: Cloud computing or storage
: Internet-connected smart devices or Internet of Things (IoT)
: Intranet
: Blockchain technologies
: Voice Over Internet Protocol (VoIP) services
: OR
: Business does not use any of the above

Business characteristics - Question identifier:2

What type of data does your business store on cloud computing or storage services? Include data that are backed-up. Select all that apply.

: Confidential employee information
: Confidential information about customers, suppliers, or partners
: Confidential business information
: Commercially sensitive information
: Non-sensitive or public information
: OR
: Business does not store data on cloud computing or storage services

Business characteristics - Question identifier:3

Does anyone in your business use personally-owned devices such as smartphones, tablets, laptops or desktop computers to carry out regular business-related activities? Include devices that are subsidized by the business.

: Yes
: No
: Do not know

Cyber security environment

Cyber security environment - Question identifier:4

Which cyber security measures does your business currently have in place?
Include on-site and external security measures, including those provided by an external party. Select all that apply.

: Mobile security
: Anti-malware software to protect against viruses, spyware, ransomware, etc.
: Web security
: Email security
: Network security
: Data protection and control
: Point-Of-Sale (POS) security
: Software and application security
: Hardware and asset management
: Identity and access management
: Physical access controls
: OR
: Business does not have any cyber security measures in place
: OR
: Do not know

Cyber security environment - Question identifier:5

Was implementing any of the cyber security measures a requirement of any of the following external parties or a requirement of a cyber security standard or a cyber security certification program?
Select all that apply.

: Supplier of physical goods
: Supplier of digitally delivered goods or services
: Supplier of other services that are not digitally delivered
: Customer
: Partner
: Canadian regulator
: Foreign regulator
: Cyber security standard or cyber security certification program
: OR
: None of the above

Cyber security environment - Question identifier:6

How many employees does your business have that complete tasks related to cyber security as part of their regular responsibilities?

Include part-time and full-time employees. Examples of tasks these employees may complete include:
- managing, evaluating or improving the security of business networks, web presence, email systems or devices;
- patching or updating the software or operating systems used by the business for security reasons;
- completing tasks related to recovery from previous cyber security incidents.

Exclude external IT consultants or contractors.
If precise figures are not available, please provide your best estimate.

: One employee
: Two to five employees
: 6 to 15 employees
: Over 15 employees
: None
: Do not know

Cyber security environment - Question identifier:7

What are the main reasons your business does not have any employees that complete tasks related to cyber security as part of their regular responsibilities? Select all that apply.

: Business uses private sector consultants or contractors to monitor cyber security
: Business uses public sector consultants or contractors to monitor cyber security
: Business has cyber risk insurance
: Business is in the process of recruiting a cyber security employee
: Business is unable to find an adequate cyber security employee
: Business lacks the money or resources to employ a cyber security employee
: Cyber security is not a high enough risk to the business
: Business' parent organization manages cyber security

Cyber security environment - Question identifier:8

What percentage of the employees that complete tasks related to the cyber security of your business as part of their regular responsibilities identify as the following genders? Gender refers to current gender, which may be different from sex assigned at birth and may be different from what is indicated on legal documents.

Exclude external IT consultants or contractors.
If precise figures are not available, please provide your best estimate.

: Female
: Male
: Another gender

Cyber security environment - Question identifier:9

Did your business share best practices or general information on cyber security risks with your employees in 2021?

Include the sharing of information through email, bulletin boards, general information sessions on subjects related to:
- recognizing and avoiding email scams;
- importance of password complexity and basic security techniques;
- securing your web browser and safe web browsing practices;
- avoiding phishing attacks;
- recognizing and avoiding spyware.

a. Information shared with internal IT personal
b. Information shared with other employees

: Yes
: No
: Not applicable
: Do not know

Cyber security environment - Question identifier:10

Did your business provide formal training to develop or upgrade cyber security related skills of your employees or stakeholders in 2021? Include training provided by external sources.

a. Provided training to internal IT personnel
b. Provided training to other employees
c. Provided training to stakeholders such as suppliers, customers or partners

: Yes
: No
: Not applicable
: Do not know

Cyber security environment - Question identifier:11

What are the main reasons your business spends time or money on cyber security measures and/or related skills training? Select up to three.

: Allow employees to work remotely securely
: Protect the reputation of the business
: Protect personal information of employees, suppliers, customers or partners
: Protect trade secrets and intellectual property
: Compliance with laws, regulations, or contracts
: Business has suffered a cyber security incident previously
: Prevent downtime and outages
: Prevent fraud and theft
: Secure continuity of business operations
: OR
: Business does not spend time or money on cyber security measures or related skills training

Cyber security readiness

Cyber security readiness - Question identifier:12

Which risk management arrangements does your business currently have in place?
Select all that apply.

: A written policy in place to manage internal cyber security risks
: A written policy in place to manage cyber security risks associated with supply chain partners
: A written policy in place to report cyber security incidents
: Other type of written policy related to cyber security
: A Business Continuity Plan (BCP) with processes to manage cyber security threats, vulnerabilities, and risks
: Employees with responsibility for overseeing cyber security risks and threats
: Members of senior management with responsibility for overseeing cyber security risks and threats
: A consultant or contractor to manage cyber security risks and threats
: Monthly or more frequent patching or updating of operating systems for security reasons
: Monthly or more frequent patching or updating of software for security reasons
: Cyber risk insurance
: OR
: Business does not have any risk management arrangements for cyber security

Cyber security readiness - Question identifier:13

Which are covered under your cyber risk insurance policy? Select all that apply.

: Direct losses from an attack or intrusion
: Restoration expenses for software, hardware, and electronic data
: Business interruption (loss of productive time) and reputation losses
: Third-party liability
: Financial losses
: Security breach remediation and notification expenses
: Claims made by employees

Cyber security readiness - Question identifier:14

Prior to responding to this survey, were you aware of any cyber security standards or cyber security certification programs that businesses can apply for?
Include:
- Canadian, foreign and international standards and programs;
- standards and programs that you were aware of but your business was not eligible for or did not apply for.

Select all that apply.

: Cyber security standards
o Specify which standards you were aware of
: Cyber security certification programs
o Specify which certification programs you were aware of
: OR
: Not aware of any cyber security standards or certification programs

Cyber security readiness - Question identifier:15

Which activities does your business undertake to identify cyber security risks?
Select all that apply.

: Monitoring employee behaviour
: Monitoring network and business systems
: A formal assessment of cyber security risks, undertaken by an employee
: A formal assessment of cyber security risks, undertaken by an external party
: Penetration testing, undertaken by an employee
: Penetration testing, undertaken by an external party
: Assessment of the security of Internet-connected smart devices or Internet of Things (IoT) devices
: Investment in threat intelligence
: Complete audit of IT systems, undertaken by an external party
: Business conducts other activities to identify cyber security risks
: OR
: Business does not conduct any activity to identify cyber security risks

Cyber security readiness - Question identifier:16

How often does your business conduct activities to identify cyber security risks? Select all that apply.

: On a scheduled basis
: After a cyber security incident occurs
: When a new IT initiative or project is launched
: On an irregular basis

Cyber security readiness - Question identifier:17

How often is senior management in your business given an update on actions taken regarding cyber security? Select all that apply.

: On a scheduled basis
: After a cyber security incident occurs
: When a new IT initiative or project is launched
: Senior management have tools to track cyber security issues
: Senior management is given an update on an irregular basis
: OR
: Senior management is not updated on cyber security issues

Business resiliency

Business resiliency - Question identifier:18

Which cyber security risks or threats would you consider to have the most detrimental impact on your business? Select up to three.

: Theft or compromise of software or hardware
: Unauthorized access, manipulation and theft of data
: Identity theft
: Scams and fraud
: Improper usage of computers or network
: Malicious software
: Denial of Service (DoS) or Distributed Denial of Service (DDoS)
: Disruption or defacing of web presence

Business resiliency - Question identifier:19

How concerned is your business about its susceptibility to future cyber security risks and threats?

: Extremely concerned
: Very concerned
: Somewhat concerned
: Slightly concerned
: Not at all concerned

Cyber security incidents

Cyber security incidents - Question identifier:20

To the best of your knowledge, which cyber security incidents impacted your business in 2021? Select all that apply.

: Incidents to disrupt or deface the business or web presence
: Incidents to steal personal or financial information
: Incidents to steal money or demand ransom payment
: Incidents to steal or manipulate intellectual property or business data
: Incidents to access unauthorised or privileged areas
: Incidents to monitor and track business activity
: Incidents with an unknown motive
: OR
: Business was not impacted by any cyber security incidents in 2021

Cyber security incidents - Question identifier:21

In 2021, which external parties reported cyber security incidents to your business that involved your organization?

Select all that apply.

: Suppliers, customers or partners
: IT consultant or contractor
: Persons or group that perpetrated the incidents
: Cyber risk insurance provider
: Government department or agency
: Police services
: Canadian Centre for Cyber Security (Cyber Centre)
: Office of the Privacy Commissioner
: Regulator
: Industry association
: Bank or other financial institution
: Software or service vendor
: Other parties not mentioned above
: OR
: External parties did not report cyber security incidents to the business in 2021

Cyber security incidents - Question identifier:22

How did your business handle the cyber security incidents that were reported to your organization by external parties in 2021?
Select all that apply.

: Incidents were resolved internally
: Incidents were resolved with the external party
: Incidents were resolved through an IT consultant or contractor
: Incidents were reported to a police service
: Incidents were reported to other external parties
: Business is currently working with the external party to resolve the incidents
: OR
: No action was taken by the business

Cost of cyber security incidents

Cost of cyber security incidents - Question identifier:23

In 2021, what was the total amount your business spent to prevent or detect cyber security incidents? Exclude costs that were incurred specifically due to previous cyber security incidents (e.g., recovery costs from previous cyber security incidents).

If precise figures are not available, provide your best estimate in Canadian dollars.

Enter "0" if there is no value to report.

a.: Cost of employee salary related to prevention or detection
b.: Cost of training employees, suppliers, customers, or partners
c.: Cost of hiring IT consultants or contractors
d.: Cost of legal services or public relations (PR) services
e.: Cost of cyber security software
f.: Cost of hardware related to cyber security
g.: Annual cost of cyber risk insurance or equivalent
h.: Other related costs

Cost of cyber security incidents - Question identifier:24

In 2021, what was the total cost to your business to recover from the cyber security incidents? Exclude costs related to prevention and detection of cyber security incidents as these were asked in the previous question.

If precise figures are not available, provide your best estimate in Canadian dollars.

Enter "0" if there is no value to report.

a.: Cost of employee salary related to recovery
b.: Cost of training employees, suppliers, customers, or partners
c.: Cost of hiring IT consultants or contractors
d.: Cost of legal services or public relations (PR) services
e.: Cost of new or upgraded cyber security software
f.: Cost of new or upgraded hardware related to cyber security
g.: Increased cost of cyber risk insurance or equivalent
h.: Reimbursing suppliers, customers, or partners
i.: Fines from regulators or authorities
j.: Ransom payments
k.: Other related costs

Impact of cyber security incidents

Impact of cyber security incidents - Question identifier:25

To the best of your knowledge, who perpetrated the cyber security incidents in 2021? Select all that apply.

Incidents to disrupt or deface the business or web presence
Incidents to steal personal or financial information
Incidents to steal money or demand ransom payment
Incidents to steal or manipulate intellectual property or business data
Incidents to access unauthorised or privileged areas
Incidents to monitor and track business activity
Incidents with an unknown motive

: An external party
: An internal employee
: Supplier, customer or partner
: OR
: Do not know

Impact of cyber security incidents - Question identifier:26

What was the method used for the cyber security incidents? Select all that apply.

Incidents to disrupt or deface the business or web presence
Incidents to steal personal or financial information
Incidents to steal money or demand ransom payment
Incidents to steal or manipulate intellectual property or business data
Incidents to access unauthorised or privileged areas
Incidents to monitor and track business activity
Incidents with an unknown motive

: Exploiting software, hardware, or network vulnerabilities
: Hacking or password cracking
: Identity theft
: Scams and fraud
: Ransomware
: Other malicious software
: Denial of Service (DoS) or Distributed Denial of Service (DDoS)
: Disruption or defacing of web presence
: Abuse of access privileges by a current or former internal party
: Other
: OR
: Do not know

Impact of cyber security incidents - Question identifier:27

You previously indicated that your business has cyber risk insurance. Did your business attempt to make a claim on that policy after the cyber security incidents in 2021? Select all that apply.

: Yes, we successfully made a claim against the business's cyber risk insurance
: Yes, we attempted to make a claim against the cyber risk insurance but were unsuccessful
: Yes, we attempted to make a claim against the business's cyber risk insurance and it is still in progress
: OR
: No, we have not attempted to make a claim for any of the cyber security incidents

Impact of cyber security incidents - Question identifier:28

How was your business impacted by the cyber security incidents in 2021?
Select all that apply.

: Loss of revenue
: Loss of suppliers, customers, or partners
: Additional repair or recovery costs
: Paid ransom payment
: Prevented the use of resources or services
: Prevented employees from carrying out day-to-day work
: Additional time required by employees to complete their day-to-day work
: Damage to the reputation of the business
: Fines from regulators or authorities
: Discouraged business from carrying out a future activity that was planned
: Minor incidents, impact was minimal to the business
: Other
: OR
: Do not know

Impact of cyber security incidents - Question identifier:29

As a result of cyber security incidents, approximately how many hours of downtime did your business experience in 2021?
Include:
- total downtime for mobile devices, desktops, and network;
- time periods during which there was either reduced activity or inactivity of employees or the business.

If precise figures are not available, provide your best estimate.

: Hours
: OR
: Business did not experience any downtime in 2021
: OR
: Do not know

Cyber security incidents reporting

Cyber security incidents reporting - Question identifier:30

Did your business report any cyber security incidents to a police service in 2021?
Include all levels of police service including federal, provincial, territorial, municipal and Indigenous.

: Yes
: No
: Do not know

Cyber security incidents reporting - Question identifier:31

Which cyber security incidents did your business report to a police service in 2021?

Select all that apply.

: Incidents to disrupt or deface the business or web presence
: Incidents to steal personal or financial information
: Incidents to steal money or demand ransom payment
: Incidents to steal or manipulate intellectual property or business data
: Incidents to access unauthorised or privileged areas
: Incidents to monitor and track business activity
: Incidents with an unknown motive

Cyber security incidents reporting - Question identifier:32

What were the reasons for reporting incidents to a police service in 2021? Select all that apply.

: To reduce the damage caused by the incidents
: To lower the probability of other businesses being impacted by the same incidents
: To help catch the perpetrators
: To fulfill the requirements of customers, suppliers, partners, regulators, cyber security standards or cyber certification programs
: Other
o Specify other reasons

Cyber security incidents reporting - Question identifier:33

What were the reasons for not reporting some or all of the cyber security incidents to a police service in 2021?

Select all that apply.

: Incidents were resolved internally
: Incidents were resolved through an IT consultant or contractor
: To protect the reputation of the business or stakeholders
: Did not want to spend more time or money on the issue
: Police service would not consider incidents important enough
: Police service was unsatisfactory in the past
: Unsure of where or how to report
: Reporting process is too complicated
: Did not think the perpetrator would be convicted or adequately punished
: Minor incidents, not important enough for business
: Lack of evidence
: Did not think of contacting a police service
: OR
: Business reported all cyber security incidents to a police service in 2021

Cyber security incidents reporting - Question identifier:34

Excluding police services, which other external party did your business report the cyber security incidents to in 2021?

Select all that apply.

: Suppliers, customers or partners
: IT consultant or contractor
: Cyber risk insurance provider
: Government department or agency
: Canadian Centre for Cyber Security (Cyber Centre)
: Office of the Privacy Commissioner
: Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre (CAFC)
: Regulator
: Industry association
: Bank or other financial institution
: Software or service vendor
: OR
: Business did not report any cyber security incidents to external parties in 2021

Cyber security incidents reporting - Question identifier:35

What were the reasons for not reporting some or all the of the cyber security incidents to an external party in 2021?

Select all that apply.

: Incidents were reported to a police service only
: Incidents were resolved internally
: To protect the reputation of the business or stakeholders
: Lack of evidence
: No benefit to reporting
: Did not want to spend more time or money on the issue
: Minor incidents, not important enough for business
: Did not think of reporting the incidents to an external party
: OR
: Business reported all cyber security incidents to an external party in 2021

Cyber security incidents reporting - Question identifier:36

In responding to the cyber security incidents in 2021, which external parties did your business contact for information or advice?

Select all that apply.

: Suppliers, customers or partners
: IT consultant or contractor
: Cyber risk insurance provider
: Legal services
: Government department or agency
: Police services
: Canadian Centre for Cyber Security (Cyber Centre)
: Office of the Privacy Commissioner
: Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre (CAFC)
: Regulator
: Industry association
: Bank or other financial institution
: Software or service vendor
: Internet community
: Friends, family, or acquaintances
: Computer repair shop
: OR
: Business did not contact any external parties in 2021

Notification of intent to extract web data

Notification of intent to extract web data - Question identifier:37

What is this business's website address?

We may also visit this business's website to search for additional publicly available information using automated methods, being careful not to impede the functionality of the website.

: Website address

Date modified:: 2021-10-19

Language selection

Search and menus

Search