Canadian Border Security (CBSA) Practice Exam

Which types of threats are BSOs tasked with guarding against?

1. Cybersecurity threats and phishing scams

2. Human, animal, and plant diseases

3. Climate change and pollution

4. Financial fraud and bankruptcy

The correct answer is: Human, animal, and plant diseases

Border Services Officers (BSOs) are primarily responsible for protecting Canada’s borders and ensure the safety of its populace. Their mandate includes guarding against various biosecurity risks, specifically human, animal, and plant diseases. This involves monitoring and preventing the introduction of diseases that can affect the health of the population or the agricultural sector. BSOs implement regulations and procedures designed to mitigate the risks posed by pathogens, invasive species, and other health threats that might cross the border as people, goods, and animals move in and out of Canada. This proactive approach helps prevent outbreaks and maintains the integrity of Canada's ecosystem and public health. While cybersecurity threats, climate change, and financial fraud are significant issues in their own right, they fall outside the primary focus of BSOs, which is centered on physiological threats related to health, biosecurity, and the safety of Canadians and their environment.