[ad_1]The Peterborough Police Service's headquarters at 500 Water Street in downtown Peterborough. (Photo: Jordan Lyall / kawartha NOW)The Peterborough Police Service has decided to suspend its use of Crime Stoppers, joining other police departments across Ontario after a cybersecurity issue came to light concerning the program’s third-party tip-management system. On Friday (October 23), the Peterborough police announced they are halting the use of the Peterborough & Northumberland Crime Stoppers online submission portal at stopcrimehere. ca and their tip line at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477) until they can ensure a secure system is in place. This move follows an investigation by Ontario Chronicle which uncovered that over 1.5 million tips sent to Crime Stoppers programs in Canada over the last 25 years were exposed due to a breach involving P3 Global Intel’s tip-management platform, owned by Navigate360-the company responsible for supplying tip-management software for Crime Stoppers initiatives in both Canada and the United States. Advertisement - content continues below In March, a hacker compromised P3 Global Intel’s systems and stole around 93 gigabytes of data, including approximately eight million confidential tips. On Friday, Navigate360 acknowledged this breach, indicating that names, addresses, dates of birth, social security numbers, and other sensitive information may have been compromised. CBC reported that at least half of the tips submitted to Canadian Crime Stoppers contained some type of personal information. Some records had details sufficient for reporters to identify and reach out to those who provided tips. Peterborough police stated it remains unclear how many files related to cases within their area might have been affected. An investigation is currently ongoing to assess any local repercussions. “This breach of data is concerning to our organization and upon learning of this breach, I immediately initiated a request regarding the extent, if any, to which tips provided to the Peterborough and Northumberland Crime Stoppers program about cases under the jurisdiction of the Peterborough Police Service may have been compromised,” said police chief Stuart Betts in a media release. “We value our relationship with the Peterborough and Northumberland Crime Stoppers program and will collaborate closely with them on addressing any data breaches impacting our organization.” Advertisement - content continues below The local chapter of Crime Stoppers also serves various agencies including Peterborough County OPP, Northumberland OPP, Cobourg Police Service, Port Hope Police Service, Curve Lake Police Service, Ministry of Natural Resources, Canada Border Services Agency, among others. The current form of Peterborough Northumberland Crime Stoppers was established in 1998 when both chapters merged. It operates as a registered non-profit charity with volunteers on its board and functions as an intermediary between anonymous tipsters and law enforcement. Its tip system does not link directly or indirectly with police service databases. This security breach poses significant issues since Crime Stoppers promotes its online and phone reporting options as anonymous-stating that calls aren’t recorded or tracked while online submissions are encrypted before being sent through third-party software used by law enforcement. Advertisement - content continues below The decision by Peterborough police mirrors similar steps taken by several other police services across Ontario and Canada. Toronto Crime Stoppers halted its entire program after news about the breach emerged-removing online submission options while directing its vendor along with the National Anonymous Call Centre not to accept new tips intended for Toronto’s chapter. The Toronto Police Service subsequently paused its own usage of Crime Stoppers as they review this incident alongside additional security measures being implemented. Suspenders like York Regional Police, Peel Regional Police, Halton Regional Police, Hamilton Police Department, Windsor Police Service also announced suspensions or changes regarding their involvement with Crime Stoppers. A spokesperson from Waterloo Regional Police mentioned they ceased promoting Crime Stoppers early July upon discovering late June that their local program had been affected by this issue. The various police services emphasized that Crime Stoppers along with its third-party technology operate separately from their internal computer networks. The pause taken by the Peterborough Police Service regarding local programs is based on “an abundance of caution” rather than any lack of confidence in Peterborough Northumberland Crime Stoppers’ operations. Petersburg officials stated they would evaluate potential impacts on operations as well as privacy concerns for tipsters once more information becomes available about this breach.<<><><>""/&gtt>(website)"Source link[ad_2]In light of these events people who have information regarding crimes or safety issues within the jurisdiction covered by Petersburgh's officers are encouraged to contact them directly.A new tip line has been established at 705-876-1122 ext. 388. While authorities will strive to keep callers' identities confidential-a guarantee cannot be made regarding anonymity.Tips can also be sent via email at tips@peteboroughpolice. ca. Individuals wishing to remain anonymous should refrain from using email addresses containing their names or providing personal details such as name , address , phone number , email address , location , relationship status concerning involved parties , or how they became aware about alleged crimes within message body. Attachments like photos or videos should be avoided.“The only thing you need describe is what happened during incident: crime nature , when it occurred where it took place who were participants,” advised authorities. “If personal info included we may unable protect your identity better. We’ll do everything possible keep identity safe but guarantees anonymity can't provide-we might even share tips if legally required.”. The Petersburgh agency assured citizens their phone call/email option run entirely separate from practices operated under Crime Stoper protocol."&gtt>()(website)
