Fast facts
- Banks are leaders in Canada in cyber security and have invested heavily in cyber security to protect the financial system and the personal information of their customers from cyber threats.
- More and more banking transactions are now conducted online with 78% of Canadians primarily doing their banking online or through their mobile device.
The bottom line
Banks in Canada are at the forefront of the prevention and detection of cyber security threats and work closely with each other and with bank regulators, law enforcement and all levels of government to share best practices and other information to address the growing challenges posed by cyber crime.
Cyber crime is an increasing threat facing Canada. The digitization of business and the growth of the “Internet of Things” creates new business opportunities but also new vulnerabilities, including cyber attacks.
Moreover, more and more banking transactions are now conducted online with 78 per cent of Canadians primarily doing their banking online or through their mobile device.1
Banks have sophisticated security systems in place to protect customers' personal and financial information. As part of a normal course of business, the banks actively monitor their networks and continuously conduct routine maintenance to help ensure that online threats do not harm their servers or disrupt service to customers.
How banks protect against cyber crime
Banks are leaders in Canada in cyber security and have invested heavily in state-of-the-art cyber security measures to protect the financial system and the personal information of their customers from cyber threats. Over the past decade (2012-2022), banks have invested approximately $115 billion on technology, which includes technology dedicated to security measures.2
In fact, cyber security measures and procedures are part of the banks’ overall security approach that includes teams of security experts that monitor transactions, prevent and detect fraud and maintain security of customer accounts.
Collaborating with others
As leaders in the prevention and detection of security threats, the banking industry continues to provide active leadership to improve the resiliency of the financial sector against cyber threats, in partnership with key stakeholders within the government and law enforcement.
The CBA has been actively collaborating with other stakeholders to amplify Cyber Security Awareness Month (October) in Canada every year since 2006. Cyber Security Awareness Month is an international effort by government and businesses to raise public awareness about cyber crime, internet safety, and how individuals can protect their personal and financial information.
The sector continues to work with the federal government and the Canadian Centre for Cyber Security to successfully implement the National Cyber Security Strategy with the common goal to create a more resilient, safer cyber environment for Canadian citizens and businesses.
What banking customers can do to protect themselves
While banks have extensive security systems in place and work around the clock to protect customers from fraud and assist police in their investigations, consumers have a role to play in protecting themselves as well.
The CBA website has many articles on how to recognize online threats. The CBA also publishes a regular fraud prevention tip newsletter to help consumers spot scams.
1 Abacus Data, How Canadians Bank, December 2022
2 CBA, six largest banks