Don’t let the old, brick facade fool you — inside are some of the most high-tech tools and skilled professionals working to combat cyber crime.
The Ontario Provincial Police officially opened its Cyber Operations Centre Monday in one of the buildings on the property of the former Huronia Regional Centre in Orillia.
It’s been six years in the making. In 2013, the OPP got to work on bringing all of its cyber operations under one roof. Previously, the various units were scattered throughout OPP General Headquarters, across the street on Memorial Avenue.
“Although the bricks and mortar have taken six years to come to fruition, that doesn’t mean that’s how long it’s taken for the OPP to (work on cyber crimes),” said OPP Commissioner Thomas Carrique. “This is going to make us much more efficient and effective at what we do.”
There are three main “pillars” of the new facility: the Cybercrime Investigations Team, Digital Forensics Unit and Forensic Video Analysis Unit.
The Cybercrime Investigations Team includes an outreach component that supports investigations and also raises awareness in the community about cyber crimes.
The Digital Forensics Unit provides investigative services to OPP, as well as other police services and government ministries. Those investigations involve “device-based digital evidence.”
The Forensic Video Analysis Unit — a trailblazer in Canada that began in the early 1990s — looks at various types of footage from home security systems, cellphones and dashboard cameras.
“As technology evolves, so must we,” said Det.-Insp. Rick Hawley.
When people think of cyber crimes, acts of fraud and hacking might come to mind. However, the OPP Cyber Operations Centre is about much more. Its services can be valuable when it comes to homicide, assault, robbery and multiple other offences.
“The rapid advancement of digital technologies continues to change our world and those within it,” Carrique said, noting modern technology is “allowing old crimes to be committed in new ways.”
“Gone are the days of separating online technology and crimes,” he added.
The facility is purpose-built for the more than 50 people who work in it. It includes a low-lit room for video analysis, anti-static flooring to protect evidence, an evidence analysis area and evidence vaults.
Most criminal investigations these days, regardless of their nature, “rely on recovery and analysis” of electronic evidence, said Ontario Solicitor General Sylvia Jones.
“This is truly a facility we need here in Ontario to keep families and communities safe,” she said.
Hawley is one of many who have worked since 2013 to make the Cyber Operations Centre a reality, and he was proud to be among those who cut the ribbon Monday to open it.
“It’s a big deal. I couldn’t sleep last night,” he said with a smile. “It’s not just for me. I was thrilled for everybody — my team, the OPP and the province.”
