Critical Cyber Systems

Background

The need to protect cyber systems that underpin Canadian critical infrastructure (CI) became a concern in 2013 following the identification of risks to telecommunication networks from equipment acquired from untrusted vendors (such as companies subject to foreign influence or control). 

To address this, Budget 2015 provided $36.4 million to support the Government’s efforts to ensure Canada’s vital cyber systems (VCS) – cyber systems that underpin CI - remain safe and reliable. This initiative expanded the scope of protection to federally-regulated CI sectors in addition to telecommunication, namely the finance, transport, and energy sectors. [Redacted]

Following the public consultation on existing measures to protect Canadians and CI from cyber threats in 2016-17, [Redacted] 

Status

Budget 2019 earmarked $144.5 million, in addition to the funding already in the fiscal framework, to support the introduction of legislation and establish a framework for such activities.

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Considerations

The cyber security concerns identified for CI remain unaddressed. [Redacted]

Canadians likely expect that the government will introduce measures for the protection of cyber systems that underpin CI, because commitments to introduce legislation related to CCS were made publicly by the Minister of Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness in the spring of 2019.

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Next Steps

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Date modified:

2020-03-18