Some defence contracts to be subject to cybersecurity checks: Anand

The federal government says certain defence contracts will be subject to a mandatory cybersecurity certification process starting in the winter of 2024.

Defence Minister Anita Anand made the announcement Wednesday morning at the Canadian Association of Defence and Security Industries annual trade show in Ottawa, which is known as CANSEC.

Anand’s speech focused on military modernization, one of her department’s key priorities as it works to finish up the defence policy review that was announced in the 2022 budget.

In the day’s second keynote speech, her Ukrainian counterpart revealed that Canada’s updated policy will be released to the public in July.

Oleksii Reznikov’s pre-recorded virtual address to the trade show at noon included a call for long-term support from Canada and the Canadian defence industry as his country continues to defend itself against the Russian invasion that began more than 400 days ago.

“Ukraine has given a list of the Canadian products and technologies it needs to the Canadian government,” he said. “Besides, we expect a substantial volume of technical assistance to Ukraine will be provided within the framework of the defence policy review, which is scheduled to be released in July.”

The Liberal government’s defence policy was released in 2017. Many observers had expected the update to be released last fall, but the public consultation period was extended in March and closed at the end of April.

Anand’s office did not immediately confirm the timeline given by Reznikov.

It is not clear exactly how support for Ukraine will factor into the update, but Anand has repeatedly said Russian President Vladimir Putin’s invasion of that country has changed the world’s threat landscape dramatically.

In her speech Wednesday morning, she said Russia’s use of disinformation campaigns and cyberattacks has highlighted the need for better cybersecurity practices.