Canadian Forces looking to expand offensive cyber capabilities: briefing
The Canadian Forces wants to expand its ability to launch cyberattacks and plans to conduct a series of related tests this year, military documents show.
The military has developed its Cyber Force Vision 2035, a strategy involving its own personnel working closely with the electronic spies at the Communications Security Establishment (CSE) in Ottawa, a 2023 briefing said.
That cyber force would be equipped to conduct advanced defensive and offensive cyber activities. It would also reach, according to the briefing, an end state in which “offensive cyber capabilities, conducted with CSE, are normalized and fully integrated into full spectrum operations.”
The Canadian Armed Forces, or CAF, hopes that during 2024 “capability trials (are) normalized” for offensive cyber operations, the documents added.
National Defence has noted on its website that “the authority for CAF to conduct offensive cyber operations is approved by the government on a mission-by-mission basis and in accordance with domestic and international law.”
Cybercrime is still considered the No. 1 online threat activity affecting Canadians, according to the federal government, but a more sophisticated and wider cyber attack could disrupt power and energy grids and threaten the delivery of essential services.
National Defence public affairs officials stated in an email to Postmedia News that the military and department didn’t discuss offensive cyber operations for security reasons.
But the information contained in the briefing was presented to the public on April 3, 2023, by Lt. Col. Caleb de Boer of the Cyber Operations Force Development. The briefing was not classified and any member of the public could attend in person or watch the presentation online for a $35 fee provided to a military association.
The National Defence public affairs branch did not explain why it falsely claimed offensive cyber operations weren’t discussed for security reasons. But critics have pointed out that, over the past year, the Canadian Forces and the department have appeared to slide toward more secrecy even as they advocate for billions of dollars in additional funding.
If National Defence hopes to expand its cyber capabilities, it is going to need more funding, according to a March 9, 2020, briefing for Peter Hammerschmidt, the department’s assistant deputy minister for policy.
“Canada needs to devote significant resources pertaining to the development of its offensive and defensive cyber capabilities if it intends to be a sophisticated actor in cyberspace,” noted the briefing, obtained by Postmedia News under the Access to Information law.
Another briefing produced by Hammerschmidt’s office about offensive cyber operations pointed out some nations were relatively open about their offensive cyber capabilities.
That approach sends a message both to enemies and the public that foots the bill for such capabilities, according to the June 29, 2020, briefing obtained by Postmedia News using the Access to Information law.