Security: Discover Innovative Canadian Capabilities

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Canadian Security Industry Solutions:
Making the World More Secure

Security threats have many faces and pose many challenges — challenges for which Canada's nearly 500 information and communications technology (ICT) companies can provide the best solutions.

Many corporations and governments worldwide, the United States prominently at the forefront, rely on Canadian security technologies. From biometrics and cybersecurity to contaminant detection and robotics, Canadian security solutions are used to protect sensitive data, ensure the efficiency and success of critical missions and to guarantee the adherence to privacy legislation. Canadian ICT is also responding to the increasing demands for better security globalization. For example, it is essential for corporations doing business around the world to safeguard their data, intellectual property and cybertransactions.

Canada Offers a Full Range of Information and Communications Technology Security Solutions

Canada is home to many of the world's top ICT security companies — major players with global reach, such as Entrust, Symantec Corporation and Gemplus Corporation (the world leader in smart-card development). Canadian firms are renowned for their ability to tackle tough problems with innovative, cutting-edge technology. Whether your needs involve Internet and e-commerce security; customer, user or digital document authentication; or virtually any other situation requiring security, Canadian companies can provide effective, winning solutions.

Biometrics

Biometric technology relies on people's unique physical traits in order to authenticate identity. It is increasingly being used in corporate and public buildings, and in key transit centres such as airports. Imagis Technologies designed the biometrics systems now installed at more than 130 sites around the globe. Countries, such as Mexico and New Zealand, use Imagis Technologies' products to authenticate documents and identify travellers. Other Canadian companies such as Senstar-Stellar, ISS and Cansec Systems specialize in integrated-access control and site-monitoring systems to greatly increase security personnel's capabilities. Ottawa Telephony Group is an international leader in innovative commercial applications of voice biometric technology. The company provides its clients with voice recognition and caller-identification systems that permit secure access to corporate voice and e-mail networks, and private telephone networks. Yet another Canadian ICT firm, Diaphonics, helps governments, law enforcement agencies and businesses positively identify employees, agents and customers over the phone. Its Spike Server is a complete hardware and software solution that uses voice biometrics to accurately confirm callers' identities, and creates a searchable, auditable trail of all interactions with the system.

Cryptographic technology

Secure encryption is essential for protecting sensitive information, particularly as it travels in cyberspace — in fact, e-commerce and many other applications would be inconceivable without this encryption. World-leading Internet security technology and services firm Entrust provides authentication, authorization and encryption services that make Internet-based operations safe for e-business. Another company, Certicom, is setting standards for robust cryptographic products. The U.S. National Security Agency relies on Certicom's cryptographic expertise to provide security for applications in special, constrained environments. The company also generates secure and cost-effective digital postmarks for Neopost Inc. — the leading European supplier of mailing solutions.

"Neopost is proud to be meeting the security requirements of the U.S. and Canadian postal authorities by integrating [Certicom's] ECC technology."
Thierry LeJaoadour
Research and Development Manager
Neopost Inc.

Detection technologies — contaminants, explosive devices and weapons

Canadian companies are creating world-class technologies that identify and protect against nuclear, biological, chemical and radiological types of threat, both efficiently and cost-effectively. Exploranium G.S. is a world leader in airborne and mobile detection systems for environmental radiation, and has installed more than 1000 vehicle-monitoring systems in 35 countries. Smiths Detection (formerly Barringer Technologies) offers a range of contaminant detection solutions, particularly drug and explosives detection systems. More than 1500 of its IONSCAN7 contaminant trace detectors are in use at 75 international airports in 58 countries, including major U.S. and Canadian airports. Response Biomedical designs fast on-site biological diagnostic test equipment. Its RAMP Anthrax Test is the world's only on-site detection system proven to identify potentially infectious doses of anthrax, and was relied on by United Nations weapons inspectors in Iraq.

Cybersecurity — cybercrime defences for networks and the Internet

Spam, cyberfraud and viruses degrade network performance, erode consumer confidence and impede on-line business. However, Canada has more than 200 innovative companies currently designing advanced cybersecurity solutions, including AmikaNow! (an Internet e-mail risk management company recently acquired by Entrust), BAJAI (an Internet-use and content-policy software company), Chrysalis-ITS (a specialist in business-to-business server security), Colubris Networks (which produces wireless virtual-private-network products), Non-Elephants Encryption (which develops secure transmission control protocol and Internet protocol packets) and RightsMarket (which focusses on embedded copy-protection software). The U.S. Department of Defense, meanwhile, is using COAST Software technology to automatically search military Web sites for sensitive operational information to ensure adherence to military privacy policies.

Surveillance and tracking technologies

Ensuring the efficient flow of trade and managing the risk of theft are essential in today's global economy. Canada is an innovation leader in this field, with companies unsurpassed in vehicle- and cargo-tracking and remote sensing. Satellite and radio systems enable trailer-load and vehicle-movement surveillance that alerts owners to potential problems. For more than 25 years, Seimac has provided technology to track shipping containers, trucks, vessel moorings and buoys, and even wildlife, anywhere in the world. March Networks recently introduced a new highly scalable digital system for homeland security and vehicle-fleet protection, using conventional and wireless networks in both fixed and mobile applications.

Security incidents and first responders protection

Canada's Vanguard Response Systems specializes in destroying biochemical warfare agents and mitigating the effects of incidents involving destructive devices and materials; its sales to the U.S. and other governments are growing rapidly. Vanguard also owns BOSIK Technologies (a Canadian provider of security and safety products) and EOD Performance (builder of lightweight, remote-controlled robots — the primary robot used by the U.S. Army in Afghanistan and Iraq). Med-Eng Systems manufactures bomb suits, body armour and communications equipment for bomb-disposal personnel. Their products are used by police forces and defence organizations in more than 60 countries.

Security product certification

Security product certification is increasingly becoming a prerequisite for selling security products to government and industry buyers. Canada is home to three of the world's best laboratories authorized to evaluate and certify security products. The DOMUS IT Security Laboratory, EWA-Canada's IT Security Evaluation and Testing Lab and CGI Group's IT Security Test and Evaluation Facility, which is certified by the Communications Security Establishment, allow specialists to examine products and provide development guidance. DOMUS IT, EWA-Canada and CGI Group's certifications are accepted in more than 14 countries as a hallmark of security, and ensure that products perform as claimed.

Research and development

Innovation and imagination put Canadian firms at the top of the security field. Their constant, cutting-edge research and development (R&D) creates practical solutions to meet unique customer needs. The Canadian Police Research Centre does R&D for law-enforcement applications and provides technology-transfer evaluation assistance, giving law-enforcement organizations the opportunity to test security-oriented products under operational conditions, and giving Canadian policing products added credibility in domestic and international markets. The Communications Research Centre is carrying out R&D in network security and management, including investigating future networks using technologies such as intelligent agents and ad hoc networks.

For Better Security, Think Canada

Canadian firms also offer expert consulting services on security matters in risk assessment, wireless-security-systems design, management, auditing, and security training and operational support. The Canadian security industry has world-class capabilities for innovating and developing an exceptionally broad range of advanced security products. Regardless of your language, cultural or technology requirements, the Canadian security industry has what you need.

To learn more about Canada's capabilities in security technologies, or for a detailed list of Canadian security suppliers, please visit the following Web sites:

• www.investincanada.gc.ca
• www.strategis.gc.ca/securitysuppliers
• www.innovationstrategy.gc.ca
• www.branhamgroup.com

Cat No.: Iu70-4/13-2004E-HTML
ISBN#: 0-662-38312-5
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