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Government of Canada announces cyber security initiatives

Ottawa, February 2, 2005 -- The Honourable Anne McLellan, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness, today announced two important cyber security initiatives. First, the Government of Canada is the first signatory to an agreement to participate in Microsoft’s Security Cooperation Program (SCP), a global initiative launched by Microsoft. Second, the Minister announced the establishment of the Canadian Cyber Incident Response Centre (CCIRC), which will serve as Canada’s focal point for dealing with cyber threats to Canada’s critical infrastructure.

“In a global environment where we are increasingly reliant on information technology, we have a responsibility to do everything we can to reduce the risk of cyber threats that could have an impact on our shared critical infrastructure,” said Minister McLellan. “By participating in Microsoft’s Security Cooperation Program and establishing the Canadian Cyber Incident Response Centre, the Government of Canada is at the forefront of those efforts.”

Through the SCP, PSEPC’s Canadian Cyber Incident Response Centre and Microsoft Canada will collaborate in responding to computer security incidents and proactively seek to reduce the effect of cyber attacks. The SCP initiative reinforces PSEPC’s commitment to collaborating with the private sector to enhance Canada’s cyber defences, as outlined in the National Security Policy.

“Microsoft values the leadership role that Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness Canada (PSEPC) has taken in becoming the first signatory and an early participant in Microsoft’s Security Cooperation Program (SCP),” said David Hemler, President, Microsoft Canada. “We look forward to collaborating with the Government of Canada to address cyber threats more efficiently and effectively through information sharing and applying our combined expertise.”

A key SCP element is emergency response coordination for cyber disruptions or emergencies, including 24/7 access to Microsoft expertise, rapid information exchange and technical advice -- while an incident is in progress. Other key SCP elements include receiving advance notification on security information to be released, as well as information about vulnerabilities that Microsoft is investigating.

The establishment of the CCIRC is part of the Government of Canada’s initiative to build a fully-integrated approach to public safety. It is the cyber security component of PSEPC’s centralized coordination capacity for emergency preparedness and response.

The CCIRC will provide cyber security services such as incident response coordination and support, monitoring and threat analysis, as well as technical advice and awareness for critical infrastructure owners and operators. CCIRC will provide this cyber protection leadership and expertise at the national and international levels.

The CCIRC can issue cyber threat warnings such as alerts and advisories at a moment’s notice. The CCIRC Web page, features its cyber alerts and advisories, reports on best practices, technical advice on how to recover from a cyber incident, and information on how to prevent similar incidents in the future.

The critical infrastructure community can directly report cyber incidents to the CCIRC, by contacting PSEPC’s Government Operations Centre. Once the information is received, a cyber triage unit can assess the information and coordinate the appropriate response. The cyber triage unit is composed of representatives from PSEPC, the Royal Canadian Mounted Police, and the Canadian Security Intelligence Service.

The establishment of the CCIRC strengthens PSEPC’s commitment to protecting Canada ’s critical infrastructure, which relies heavily on cyber systems and networks. The CCIRC also works closely with the Government Operations Centre in the event of a national emergency, as outlined in Canada ’s new National Security Policy.

See also:

• Cyber security and protecting Canada ’s critical infrastructure
• Government Operations Centre
• Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness and Microsoft cyber security cooperation

For more information:

Alex Swann
Director of Communications
Office of the Honourable Anne McLellan
Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness
(613) 991-2863

Media Relations
Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness Canada
(613) 991-0657

Sarah Stewart Browne
Microsoft Canada
Senior Consultant
(416) 368-8348 ext. 245