The RCMP, like other Canadian law enforcement agencies, is facing a significant challenge with criminals using advanced encryption techniques to hinder investigations and prevent lawful access to data seized during criminal probes. These encryption methods drastically reduce the chances of prosecution for those engaging in illegal activities. While law enforcement can obtain judicial approval to search a device, they cannot legally compel an individual to disclose a password. This situation encourages criminals to use encryption as a safeguard against legal consequences.
The RCMP aims to develop an AI system that can analyze seized data and create case-specific word lists to assist in decrypting the information. The AI should process forensic data files as source material to generate these lists.
Desired Outcomes and Considerations
Mandatory Outcomes:
Proposed solutions must:
- Accept and process materials of any size from common forensic file types (e.g., e01, ad1, dd, ex01).
- Generate password word lists based on a user's data activity, interests, and passwords found in forensic images.
- Process web history from common browsers (e.g., Chrome, Edge, Firefox, Safari).
- Analyze common document types (e.g., MS Word, MS Excel, text files, Adobe).
- Export password derivatives in text format for use in decryption software.
Additional Outcomes:
Proposed solutions should:
- Identify encrypted files from device images (e.g., luks, bitlocker, truecrypt).
- Ingest known passwords into a database and use them to generate password derivatives.
- Provide a user-friendly graphical user interface (GUI).
- Initiate decryption attempts using common software (e.g., Elcomsoft, Passware, Hashcat).
Eligibility Criteria:
Proposals can only be submitted by small businesses that meet the following:
- For-profit and incorporated in Canada (federally or provincially).
- Fewer than 500 full-time equivalent (FTE) employees.
- Conduct research and development in Canada.
- At least 50% of wages, salaries, and fees paid to employees and contractors working primarily in Canada.
- 50% or more of FTE employees based in Canada.
- 50% or more of senior executives (Vice President or higher) residing in Canada.
Application Deadline:
December 16, 2021, 14:00 Eastern Standard Time (EST)
For More Information:
RCMP AI Decryption Service Challenge
