Last Updated On 18 September 2024, 12:16 PM EDT (Toronto Time)

As our world becomes increasingly multicultural and our societies expand daily, immigration rates are increasing internationally.

With that in mind, how can we ensure that any immigrants coming to Canada are as safe and secure as possible?

Let’s talk about some great methods for improving privacy and security.

Improving privacy

When improving anyone’s privacy, it’s always wise to start with the example of something they’re already private about.

This may be as banal as their music taste.

However, if it’s something they don’t wish to share, it makes a clear and concise example of how closely they should guard sensitive information.

Educating on sensitive information

The nature of sensitive information can often change from country to country.

For instance, an immigrant to the US would need to be wary of who they’re sharing their Social Security number with.

An immigrant to Canada, however, would have their Social Insurance Number (SIN) to protect.

With a little education about what specific pieces of data to protect, you can improve someone’s threat intelligence, leading to greater privacy and safety.

VPN usage

Using a VPN is a great way to protect one’s online information, especially if you’re a recent immigrant.

The reason is that a recent immigrant’s online traffic may stand out among other people around them, meaning their connection can be targeted.

A VPN encrypts the online traffic that a connection is using, guaranteeing more privacy.

It can also mask the IP address that a certain connection is using, allowing them to browse with a level of privacy.

Avoiding shared devices

Often, a recent immigrant family may have spent a lot of money getting to Canada.

This may mean that there is little spare cash in their budget to ensure that all the family members have phones and computers of their own.

This can lead to a breakdown in privacy, with people sharing a given device.

While avoiding this and using separate devices would be ideal, it’s not always possible.

Instead, using strong and unique passwords for sensitive data is wise, preventing unauthorized eyes from looking at it.

Improving security

Ensuring that data is private wherever possible is vital, but general security can be about more than data.

Here, let’s talk about some great ways to ensure the security of immigrants to Canada.

Building trust between immigrants and law enforcement

Of course, this is often much easier said than done.

However, building a relationship between immigrants and law enforcement can ensure that it’s much easier for violence or dangerous situations to be reported.

The idea, here, is often for law enforcement officers to be friendlier with immigrants.

By helping at events and becoming a part of the community, a law enforcement officer can skillfully insert themselves as a dependable presence.

More specifically, this friendliness and openness can be achieved by setting up a drop-in clinic in a public space.

While there, a police representative can chat with community members and arrange to solve problems proactively.

Cybersecurity education

Canada, especially in the most urban areas, is much more technology-forward than many other places.

If an immigrant has come from a country where technology is less ubiquitous, some education to help them understand the surprising commonality of cyber attacks can be ideal.

Improving threat intelligence in Canada’s immigrant population can help ensure their security.

It’s worth ensuring that you cover hackers’ more basic tactics (such as phishing) as well as more advanced attacks. When armed with comprehensive knowledge, someone will always be safer.

The best way to be wary of security threats in your life is to consider the connections and security of those around you.

Often, bad actors can attempt to infiltrate communities of recent immigrants with scams and cruelty, knowing that the immigrant is likely looking for friendship in their new country.

Therefore, a great way to improve the security of recent immigrants is to teach them about scams and dangerous areas in their local neighborhood.

For instance, if a known scammer is operating in the parking lot of a local grocery store, warning customers not to interact with them would be ideal.

The safety, privacy, and security of immigrants are as valid as anyone else, doubly so when considering the level of risk they’re often subject to.

Consider what threats may be around immigrants in your local area, and be sure to warn people accordingly.

Sidak Singh Dhanoa

I am a born Canadian citizen and growing daily with my content on INC – Immigration News Canada, developing into an empathetic person and knowing the other side of the story. Born in Toronto, exploring Canada from coast to coast, embracing the nomadic lifestyle.