April 9, 2019 | Local, C4ISR, Security
Murray Brewster · CBC News
A new report questions how well prepared the Canadian military and the federal government are to fight a cyber war that, for all intents and purposes, has started already.
The Canadian Association of Defence and Security Industries (CADSI), which represents major weapons and high-tech manufacturers, warns in a new report that, despite recent investments and policy papers, the country is lagging far behind its allies in preparing to fight a new kind of war.
"The cyber threat to the Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) permeates domestically through vulnerabilities in critical infrastructure, combat systems and equipment, and extends to where the military is deployed abroad," said the association's report, released Thursday.
"Russia have proven their ability to launch attacks that cripple critical systems in seconds or quietly collect intelligence for years. The CAF has only recently received approval to engage in active and offensive operations at scale (though specialized activity has been present for years)."
To compile the report, researchers at CADSI conducted 70 interviews with government and military officials, as well as defence industry leaders.
Christyn Cianfarani, the association's president, said the feedback was frank.
"There's a genuine sense of urgency for Canada to advance in this space," she said. Even if the public doesn't feel the country is vulnerable, she added, "we could stand to be vulnerable by not moving forward very quickly."
The report comes just weeks after a House of Commons committee heard that online attacks on Canada's financial system and other key infrastructure could become far more destructive as more militaries around the globe get involved in cyber operations.
That testimony came from security expert and former CIA analyst Christopher Porter, an executive at the U.S. cyber security company Fireeye, Inc.
He said the west's imposition of sanctions on "some countries" has in the past been met with denial-of-service attacks on financial services websites, but those attacks have only been disruptive.
"In the future, they may respond with destructive attacks," he testified on Feb. 6.
Cianfarani echoed that warning.
"I think, if you look, other nations are attacking Canada," she said. "Other nations aren't just attacking Canada in a short-game play. They are attacking Canada and trying to influence things in our country in a long-game play."
The defence association report also took aim at the federal government's ponderous procurement system, noting that adversaries and allies have "demonstrated their ability to deploy new cyber capabilities in months or weeks, while the CAF remains burdened by a years-long and sometimes decades-long procurement cycle."
Cianfarani said the procurement system has to "be blown up" and "torn apart" when it comes to acquiring cyber equipment and services.
It should take six months, not 10 years, to get those kinds of products into the hands of cyber operators, she added.
Defence Minister Harjit Sajjan's office declined comment and referred CBC News to the Communications Security Establishment, which defends the federal government's networks.
While CSE spokesman Evan Koronewski did not address the specific criticisms in the industry association report, he pointed to the creation of the Canadian Centre for Cyber Security, which brings "operational security experts from across the Government of Canada under one roof" — something that is expected to deliver a more unified approach.
"Although we cannot speak specifically to the Cyber Centre's capabilities, we are confident our men and women have the tools they need to deliver on their mission," Koronewski said in an email.
The study found "government and industry lack the mutual trust required to effectively collaborate in the cyber defence of Canada" and proposed a series of remedies.
"This distrust has been sown over time through a history of unproductive engagements, limited communications and inadequate mutual understanding of each other's capabilities," said the analysis.
The Council of Canadian Innovators has delivered a similar message to the federal government on many occasions over the last two years, but Cianfarani said she believes that the upcoming federal election and the possibility of interference in it — foreign or otherwise — will focus the attention of both the public and decision-makers.
"I think around an election is probably when we have the loudest voice, and it's when we're probably, as a country, the most vulnerable," she said.
The report pointed to other countries, such as the United States, where cyber defence strategies are primarily driven by industry, supported by the academic community and funded by the government without bureaucratic limitations.
"A similar approach for Canada could mobilize a strong, sovereign line of defence against rapidly evolving cyber threats," the report said.
August 10, 2023 | Local, Naval
Today, His Majesty’s Canadian Ship (HMCS) Harry DeWolf departed from its homeport of Halifax, N.S., for the 2023 iteration of the annual sovereignty Arctic deployment, Operation Nanook.
November 29, 2021 | Local, Aerospace, Naval, Land, C4ISR, Security
(le français suit) We launched 3 new R&D funding opportunities! We worked with the National Research Council of Canada (NRC) to release three new challenges. With the launch of these opportunities, ISC has surpassed our 100th challenge milestone! Think you can solve any of the below challenges? Compete for funding to prove your feasibility and develop a solution! Apply online SME News: Get certified with new cybersecurity program See below to learn more about CyberSecure, a federal certification program to help SMEs improve cybersecurity practices. High Performance Low Cost Detection of Biomarkers The NRC is seeking robust cost effective point-of-care testing innovations. This challenge closes on December 23rd, 2021 at 2pm EST! Reducing Airborne Transmission of Respiratory Viruses in Buildings Lacking a Mechanical Ventilation System The NRC is seeking the Canadian industry to develop and manufacture building technologies and products that can protect occupants by effectively mitigating airborne transmission of respiratory viruses in buildings lacking a mechanical ventilation system. This challenges closes December 23rd, 2021 at 2pm EST! Made-in-Canada Compostable Elastomeric Materials for Medical Glove Manufacturing The NRC, in collaboration with Environment & Climate Change Canada (ECCC), Health Canada (HC) and Natural Resources Canada (NRCan), are seeking solutions for Made-in-Canada sustainable elastomeric materials, that are compostable, to be used in the manufacturing of an equivalent alternative to disposable medical gloves. This challenges closes December 23rd, 2021 at 2pm EST! Get certified with CyberSecure Canada CyberSecure Canada is the country's cybersecurity certification program for SMEs. Learn more about how you can enhance your competitive advantage by letting your supply chain know you're a trusted business partner. Nous avons lancé 3 nouvelles opportunités de financement R&D ! Nous avons travaillé avec le Conseil national de recherches du Canada (CNRC) pour lancer trois nouveaux défis. Avec le lancement de ces opportunités, SIC a dépassé le cap de son 100ème défi ! Vous pensez pouvoir résoudre l'un des défis ci-dessous ? Appliquer pour compétitionner au financement afin de prouver votre faisabilité et de développer une solution ! Postulez en ligne Nouvelles des PME : Obtenez une certification gr'ce au nouveau programme de cybersécurité Voir ci-dessous pour en savoir plus sur CyberSécuritaire, un programme de certification fédéral visant à aider les PME à améliorer leurs pratiques en matière de cybersécurité. Détection haute performance à faible coût de biomarqueurs Le CNRC cherche des solutions innovantes, robustes et économiques pour des tests effectués sur les lieux de prestation de soins. Ce défi se termine le 23 decembre, 2021 à 14 h HNE. Réduction de la transmission par voie aérienne des virus respiratoires à l'intérieur des immeubles sans système de ventilation mécanique Le CNRC invite les industriels canadiens à développer des technologies et des systèmes permettant de protéger efficacement les occupants des immeubles sans système de ventilation mécanique en atténuant la transmission par voie aérienne des virus respiratoires. Ce défi se termine le 23 decembre, 2021 à 14 h HNE. Élastomères de fabrication canadienne pour la confection des gants médicaux Le CNRC, en collaboration avec Environnement et Changement climatique Canada (ECCC), Santé Canada (SC) et Ressources naturelles Canada (RNCan), est à la recherche de solutions faisant appel à des élastomères écologiques et compostables, fabriqués au Canada, qui pourront être utilisés pour la fabrication d'un nouveau type de gants médicaux jetables. Ce défi se termine le 23 decembre, 2021 à 14 h HNE. Soyez certifié avec CyberSécuritaire Canada CyberSécuritaire Canada est le programme de certification en cybersécurité réservé aux petites et moyennes entreprises. Découvrez comment vous pouvez renforcer votre avantage concurrentiel au niveau supérieur en informant votre chaîne logistique que vous êtes un partenaire d'affaires de confiance.
January 21, 2020 | Local, Aerospace
by Kris Osborn Key point: At this rate, the F-35 won't even see combat before its outmoded. It is also possible that the new 6th-generation fighter could use advanced, futuristic stealth technology able to enable newer, more capable air defenses. The air defenses of potential adversaries are increasingly using faster computing processing power and are better networked together, more digital, able to detect a wider range of frequencies and able to detect stealthy aircraft at farther distances. The Air Force has begun experimenting and conceptual planning for a 6th generation fighter aircraft to emerge in coming years as a technological step beyond the F-35, service leaders said. "We have started experimentation, developmental planning and technology investment," Lt. Gen. Arnold Bunch, Military Deputy, Office of the Assistant Secretary of the Air Force, Acquisition, told Scout Warrior in an interview. The new aircraft, engineered to succeed the 5th-generation F-35 Joint StrikeFighter and explode onto the scene by the mid 2030s, is now in the earliest stages of conceptual development with the Air Force and Navy. The two services are now working together on early conceptual discussions about the types of technologies and capabilities the aircraft will contain. While the Air Force has not yet identified a platform for the new aircraft. The Air Force characterizes the effort in terms of a future capability called Next-Gen Air Dominance. While Bunch did not elaborate on the specifics of ongoing early efforts, he did make reference to the Air Superiority 2030 Flight Plan which delineates some key elements of the service's strategy for a future platform. Fighter jets in 20-years may likely contain the next-generation of stealth technology, electronic warfare, sophisticated computer processing and algorithms, increased autonomy, hypersonic weapons and so-called "smart-skins" where sensors are built into the side of the aircraft itself. Some of these characteristics may have been on display more than a year ago when Northrop Grumman's SuperBowl AD revealed a flashy first look at its rendering of a new 6th-generation fighter jet. Northrop is one of a number of major defense industry manufacturers who will bid for a contract to build the new plane - when the time is right. While there are not many details available on this work, it is safe to assume Northrop is advancing concepts, technology and early design work toward this end. Boeing is also in the early phases of development of a 6th-gen design, according to a report in Defense News. The Navy's new aircraft will, at least in part, replace the existing inventory of F/A-18 Super Hornets which will start to retire by 2035, Navy officials said. The Navy vision for a future carrier air wing in 2040 and beyond is comprised of the carrier-launched variant of the Joint Strike Fighter, the F-35C, and legacy aircraft such as the EA-18G Growler electronic jamming aircraft. Also, around this time is when Navy planners envision its 6th generation aircraft to be ready, an aircraft which will likely be engineered for both manned and unmanned missions. Technologies are rapidly advancing in coatings, electromagnetic spectrum issues, artificial intelligence, maneuvering, superiority in sensing the battlespace, communications and data links, Navy leaders have said. Navy officials also add that the Navy is likely to develop new carrier-launched unmanned air vehicles in coming years as well. For instance, Northrop's historic X-47B demonstrator aircraft was the first unmanned system to successfully launch and land on the deck of an aircraft carrier. Analysts have speculated that as 6th generation developers seek to engineer a sixth-generation aircraft, they will likely explore a range of next-generation technologies such as maximum sensor connectivity, super cruise ability and an aircraft with electronically configured “smart skins.” Super cruise technology would enable the new fighter jet to cruise at supersonic speeds without needing afterburner, analysts have explained. As a result, super cruise brings a substantial tactical advantage because it allows for high-speed maneuvering without needing afterburner, therefore enable much longer on-location mission time. Such a scenario provides a time advantage as the aircraft would likely outlast a rival aircraft likely to run out of fuel earlier. The Air Force F-22 has a version of supercruise technology. Maximum connectivity would mean massively increased communications and sensor technology such as having an ability to achieve real-time connectivity with satellites, other aircraft and anything that could provide relevant battlefield information.The new aircraft might also seek to develop the ability to fire hypersonic weapons, however such a development would hinge upon successful progress with yet-to-be-proven technologies such as scramjets traveling at hypersonic speeds. Some tests of early renderings of this technology have been tested successfully and yet other attempts have failed. The Air Force Chief Scientist, Dr. Geoffrey Zacharias, has told Scout Warrior that the US anticipates having hypersonic weapons by the 2020s, hypersonic drones by the 2030s and recoverable hypersonic drone aircraft by the 2040s. There is little doubt that hypersonic technology, whether it be weaponry or propulsion, or both, will figure prominently into future aircraft designs. Smart aircraft skins would involve dispersing certain technologies or sensors across the fuselage and further integrating them into the aircraft itself, using next-generation computer algorithms to organize and display information for the pilot. We see some of this already in the F-35; the aircraft sensor fusion uses advanced computer technology to collect, organize and display combat relevant information from a variety of otherwise disparate sensors onto a single screen for pilots. In addition, Northrop's Distributed Aperture System is engineered to provide F-35 pilots with a 360-degree view of the battlespace. Cameras on the DAS are engineered into parts of the F-35 fuselage itself to reduce drag and lower the aircraft's radar signature. Smart skins with distributed electronics means that instead of having systems mounted on the aircraft, you would have apertures integrated on the skin of the aircraft, analysts have said. This could reduce drag, increase speed and maneuverability while increasing the technological ability of the sensors. It is also possible that the new 6th-generation fighter could use advanced, futuristic stealth technology able to enable newer, more capable air defenses. The air defenses of potential adversaries are increasingly using faster computing processing power and are better networked together, more digital, able to detect a wider range of frequencies and able to detect stealthy aircraft at farther distances. The new 6th-generation fighter will also likely fire lasers and have the ability to launch offensive electronic attacks. https://nationalinterest.org/blog/buzz/f-35s-are-dead-sixth-generation-fighter-aircraft-its-way-114901