September 24, 2019 | Local, Aerospace
Enemy action against satellites could include cyber-attacks, jamming, lasers or missiles, while natural threats could be solar flares or space weather
The Defence Department wants to take a page out of Star Trek and has asked researchers to develop ways to protect Canadian satellites from such threats as laser attacks and missiles.
Dubbed the “Shields Up” project, the plan would see the development of innovative capabilities that could be incorporated into the design and operation of Canada's space-based systems.
The Shields Up terminology is a nod to the sci-fi TV and movie series Star Trek in which the USS Enterprise starship is protected by deflector shields that can be instantly activated in response to a threat.
“Satellites are vulnerable to natural and artificial threats as well as, increasingly, threats from adversaries who seek to disrupt or destroy allied space systems,” said Dan Le Bouthillier, a spokesman for the Department of National Defence.
Enemy action against satellites could include cyber-attacks, jamming, lasers or missiles, while natural threats could be solar flares, space weather or collisions with debris in space.
The Defence Department and the Canadian Forces are the only Canadian entities with the mandate of protecting and defending the country's space capabilities, Le Bouthillier noted.
The call for proposals is part of a DND science innovation program.
Ideas that are accepted will receive $200,000 to further the proposal over a six-month period. The most promising solutions could receive another $1 million for additional development, Le Bouthillier said.
Most satellite services are commercial in nature and defensive measures have not been a primary criteria in their design. But the DND wants that to change.
The concepts or designs have to provide a reasonable method to deal with the threat. They also have to take into account Canada's international relations and obligations and the fact that various satellites operate in different orbits, which could influence the type of threats they face.
There are 1,950 operational satellites in Earth orbits.
Le Bouthillier said militaries are increasingly dependent on space-based systems for communication, surveillance, environmental monitoring and navigation.
The DND has a growing interest in keeping Canadian space systems safe. In August the department put out a request to Canadian scientists to try to come up with a way to rid the Earth's orbit of the millions of pieces of space junk that pose a threat to satellites and other spacecraft.
But the task is daunting; no other researcher has figured out how to collect the debris, which can be as small as one millimetre.
The DND noted that the request at this point is not about funding a system but investigating new ideas to eliminate the space junk.
The total number of “debris objects” in orbit is estimated to be about 129 million. That includes 34,000 objects greater than 10 centimetres in size, 900,000 objects one cm to 10 cm, and 128 million objects one mm to one cm, according to the DND.
The debris has been created by decades of space travel and operations. In 2007, for instance, China conducted a military test using a missile to destroy one of its satellites. The warhead obliterated the spacecraft, creating an estimated 300,000 pieces of debris. The U.S., Russia and India have conducted similar military experiments.
“There are no operational debris removal capabilities in use, globally, and existing prototypes lack important capabilities and have proven ineffective,” the DND noted in its request to researchers.
DND is also interested in ways to track some of the smaller pieces of space junk as well as methods to remove multiple pieces of debris of any size. Space surveillance networks regularly track about 22,300 objects in Earth orbits.
November 23, 2023 | Local, Aerospace
The need to operate at high northern latitudes requires the use of satellites and communication components not previously integrated on the MQ-9.
June 9, 2023 | Local, Other Defence
The investment strengthens Canada’s position as a world leader in artificial intelligence research and innovation June 9, 2023 – Montréal, Québec Artificial intelligence (AI) is one of the greatest technological advances of our generation and already has a significant impact on the daily lives of Canadians. The Government of Canada is also fully aware that we need to promote the responsible development and use of AI and continues to consult with leading AI experts from Canadian industry, civil society and academia through the Advisory Council on AI. We are doubling down on responsible AI to drive economic growth, ensure Canadians are protected in the digital age and preserve Canada’s leadership at the forefront of tomorrow’s economy. The government is actively working with international partners on the responsible development and use of AI. Canada has gained a strong international reputation as a leader in responsible and ethical AI and continues to collaborate with its international partners, in particular through the G7 and the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development, to promote prudent and interoperable regulatory approaches to AI. Canada was closely involved in the launch of the Global Partnership on Artificial Intelligence, through which the 29 member governments work collectively to orient AI technologies toward shared values. Further, the government is directly engaging with leaders from like-minded countries in discussions on the future of global AI regulation. The government takes seriously concerns about the potential risks associated with rapid, large-scale deployment of advanced generative AI systems, and it is committed to addressing them effectively. That is why the government is proposing a new Artificial Intelligence and Data Act (AIDA) to address the potential risks of AI, build trust in Canada’s AI industry and protect Canadians from a range of harms. AIDA will ensure that Canada is home to the most responsible and trusted AI in the world. Today, Rachel Bendayan, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Tourism and Associate Minister of Finance, on behalf of the Honourable François-Philippe Champagne, Minister of Innovation, Science and Industry, highlighted an investment of more than $124 million at the Université de Montréal for the R3AI: Shifting Paradigms for a Robust, Reasoning, and Responsible Artificial Intelligence and its Adoption initiative through the Canada First Research Excellence Fund (CFREF). This funding is part of a $1.4 billion investment in support of 11 large-scale research initiatives. This investment will allow researchers at Canadian universities to capitalize on the strengths of their research areas and attract capital and world-class talent. The R3AI initiative will implement new responsible AI design and adoption strategies in areas of importance for Canada, including molecule discovery, health systems improvements and climate change mitigation. By supporting initiatives focused on, among other things, treating and preventing brain and heart diseases, cutting carbon emissions in our communities, and making discoveries through responsible AI use, robotics and advanced computing, CFREF is helping Canadian researchers pioneer global insights and strengthen Canada’s social and technological innovation ecosystems. Quotes “Today's research is tomorrow's innovation. In the case of artificial intelligence, Canada is home to some of the world’s leading AI researchers and the world’s first fully funded AI strategy. Through the Canada First Research Excellence Fund, our government is proud to move even further ahead by investing $124 million into responsible artificial intelligence research. Canada will continue to lead on AI research, governance and innovation, including in drug discovery, health technology and climate change mitigation.” – The Honourable François-Philippe Champagne, Minister of Innovation, Science and Industry "The Université de Montréal is home to ground-breaking research that is key to transforming the responsible adoption of artificial intelligence. The federal government is proud to support our researchers and our local universities with projects that lead to important social and economic benefits for all Canadians” – Rachel Bendayan, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Tourism and Associate Minister of Finance “Canada’s post-secondary institutions are rich in talent and ideas and are committed to building healthier, more sustainable, more inclusive and more prosperous communities. With support from the federal government’s Canada First Research Excellence Fund, they are able to build on these foundations to develop advanced research programs that showcase Canadian talent and lead the world in developing solutions to the critical challenges facing our planet, including environmental sustainability, advanced biotherapeutics, child health and population migration.” – Ted Hewitt, Chair, Tri-agency Institutional Programs Secretariat Steering Committee; President, Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada; and Chair, Canada Research Coordinating Committee “Our R3AI project takes us down a necessary path: using a strongly interdisciplinary approach to develop reasoned, robust, resolutely responsible artificial intelligence that serves the common good. Thanks to the Canada First Research Excellence Fund grant, the Université de Montréal and its partners will be able to strengthen the leadership we have built up over the years.” – Daniel Jutras, Rector of the Université de Montréal Quick facts Created in 2014, the Canada First Research Excellence Fund (CFREF) supports Canadian post-secondary institutions in their efforts to become global research leaders. The program helps Canadian universities, colleges and polytechnics compete with the best in the world for talent and partnership opportunities. It also supports them in making breakthrough discoveries; seizing emerging opportunities and strategically advancing their greatest strengths on the global stage; and implementing large-scale, transformational and forward-thinking institutional strategies. CFREF invests approximately $200 million per year through a highly competitive peer review process, held every seven years, to support selected Canadian post-secondary institutions in turning their key strengths into world-leading capabilities. CFREF is a tri-agency institutional program administered by the Tri-agency Institutional Programs Secretariat, housed at the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada (SSHRC), on behalf of the three federal research funding agencies: the Canadian Institutes of Health Research, the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada and SSHRC. Initiatives funded by CFREF are selected through an independent, multidisciplinary and international competitive peer review process. The first phase of the Pan-Canadian Artificial Intelligence Strategy (PCAIS) was launched in 2017, in partnership with the Canadian Institute for Advanced Research (CIFAR), with a $125 million investment to build a strong Canadian talent pipeline and ecosystem, including the establishment of centres of research, innovation and training at the national AI institutes. Budget 2021 invested more than $443 million in a second phase of the strategy to support AI commercialization, standards, talent and research. Since 2017, over 125 top researchers, half of whom are international researchers drawn to Canada by the strategy and its investments, have been recruited as Canada CIFAR AI Chairs. Moreover, the national AI institutes have trained over 1,600 graduate students and post-doctoral fellows. Many of these are international students who have come to Canada because of the recognized strengths of each institute. Associated links About CFREF 2022 CFREF competition results 2016 CFREF Competition 2 results 2015 CFREF Competition 1 results https://www.canada.ca/en/innovation-science-economic-development/news/2023/06/government-of-canada-invests-in-responsible-artificial-intelligence-research-at-the-universite-de-montreal.html
October 5, 2020 | Local, C4ISR, Security
NEWS PROVIDED BY Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada New Government of Canada program will help small and medium-sized organizations improve competitiveness OTTAWA, ON, Oct. 2, 2020 /CNW/ - By investing in cyber security, Canadian businesses are giving themselves a competitive advantage. Effective cyber security limits the direct and indirect impact of cyber attacks on a business, such as financial loss, litigation, and damage to its reputation and critical infrastructure. It not only protects a business but also inspires customer confidence and Canadians' trust. Today, at the start of Cyber Security Awareness Month, CyberSecure Canada is officially launching a web portal to help organizations obtain cyber certification. Canada's cyber security certification program helps small and medium-sized organizations assess, plan and implement cyber security practices to guard against cyber attacks, protecting their business, their clients and their partners. By obtaining CyberSecure certification, Canadian organizations will: protect their data and cyber activities; increase supply chain trust and confidence among suppliers, customers and investors; establish valued relationships with their partners and consumers, who will know steps have been taken to mitigate risks; and increase their competitive advantage. Cyber Security Awareness Month is an internationally recognized campaign held each October to inform the public of the importance of cyber security. Led by the Communications Security Establishment (CSE), it is focused on helping all Canadians be more secure online by being informed and knowing the simple steps to take to protect themselves, their families, their workplace and their devices. Cyber security is a challenge for all of Canada, and we need all Canadians to do their part to keep Canada cyber-safe! Quote "With the current COVID-19 crisis, Canadian businesses are relying on technology more than ever. Many businesses had to quickly pivot to remote work and online operations while dealing with a spike in the number of cyber attacks, phishing scams and other security-related issues during the pandemic. The new CyberSecure Canada certification program will help businesses protect themselves from these threats, give Canadians confidence in continuing to work and grow in the digital economy, and reduce the costs of cybercrime." – The Honorable Navdeep Bains, Minister of Innovation, Science, and Industry Quick facts CSE's Cyber Centre continues to deliver world-class dynamic defence of Canadian government networks, routinely protecting federal systems from almost 2 billion malicious actions every day. The CyberSecure Canada program, announced in Budget 2018, launched the pilot phase in August 2019. The aim of the program is to encourage small and medium-sized organizations to improve their cyber security by implementing a baseline set of security requirements and completing a certification process through a third party accredited certification body. The Cyber Security Review called for the Government of Canada to back a standard for cyber security, as outlined in the National Cyber Security Strategy. Canada's Digital Charter, launched in spring 2019, is a result of the National Digital and Data Consultations with Canadians. The CyberSecure Canada program supports the Charter's "Safety and Security" principle: Canadians will be able to rely on the integrity, authenticity and security of the services they use and should feel safe online. https://www.newswire.ca/news-releases/cybersecure-certification-to-help-protect-businesses-from-cyber-attacks-890953890.html