The federal authorities says sure defence contracts will likely be topic to a compulsory cybersecurity certification course of beginning within the winter of 2024.
Defence Minister Anita Anand made the announcement Wednesday morning on the Canadian Association of Defence and Security Industries annual commerce present in Ottawa, which is named CANSEC.
Anand stated defence contractors are sometimes targets of malicious cyberattacks that threaten unclassified info and put provide chains in danger.
She stated Russia’s use of disinformation campaigns and cyberattacks through the struggle in Ukraine has highlighted the necessity for higher protections.
“Cyberthreats are growing here at home, too, where malicious cyber activities have targeted government and defence contractors and subcontractors,” she stated.
The federal authorities put aside $25 million on this 12 months’s finances to develop this system over the subsequent three years. It will likely be designed “in lockstep” with the United States in order that certification will likely be acknowledged in each international locations, Anand stated.
“This means that defence contractors doing business in both countries will only need to be certified under a single entity, and it will ensure that Canadian companies can benefit from future procurement opportunities with our allies,” she stated.
Anand additionally introduced that $1.5 million a 12 months will go towards an Indigenous reconciliation program inside her division, which can goal to assist session on infrastructure tasks and analysis.
“Partnerships with industry will be crucial if we’re going to modernize our military, if we’re going to streamline defence procurement, if we’re going to build up our innovation ecosystem and if we’re going to ensure opportunities for Indigenous Peoples,” she stated.
