Hack-Proofing the Nation: Canada’s Cybersecurity Push

Cybersecurity has emerged as one of the most critical issues for governments worldwide, and in Canada, the federal government faces an ever-changing threat landscape that screams for constant attention. As digital transformation continues to accelerate, geopolitical dynamics continue to shift, cybercriminals are employing increasingly sophisticated techniques, creating a complex and dynamic environment. According to the recently released National Cyber Threat Assessment 2025-2026 which highlights the growing sophistication of cyber threats and the importance of proactive measures, the Canadian government is in dire need for stronger defences against ransomware, state-sponsored attacks, and vulnerabilities in critical infrastructure.

Clearly the option to sit idly by, hoping traditional security methods prevail is non-existent - the federal government has no choice but to navigate through this landscape, saturated in risks and challenges. Here we’ll have a look at those looming hurtles, but it’s not all doom and gloom, we’ll seek out how the federal government has its eye on security when it comes to the cyber world with numerous plans, strategies and frameworks in place.

First, Unique Features of the Canadian Cyber Landscape:

Collaborative Approach to Cybersecurity: With the Center for Cyber Security in place, which has itself positioned Canada as one of the leading countries in cyber security, ultimate collaboration has been recognised as a key to successful cybersecurity. The Center functions as an integral, unified source, bringing together expertise from various government agencies, academia, international and private partnerships, setting cybersecurity benchmarks, offering guidance, encouraging information exchange, and managing incident responses.

Comprehensive Cyber Security Readiness Goals (CRGs): The Canadian Centre for Cyber Security has introduced 36 cybersecurity practices grouped into six key areas: Govern, Identify, Protect, Detect, Respond, and Recover. These voluntary guidelines aim to strengthen cyber resilience across critical infrastructure sectors.

International Cyber Diplomacy: Canada is deeply involved in cyber diplomacy, pushing for fair rules in the digital space. Teaming up with like-minded countries, it focuses on human rights and democratic values while tackling cybercrime and effectively setting the country apart on the global stage.

Secondly, the Challenges Shaping the Current Landscape:

• Artificial Intelligence (AI) Amplifying Cyber Threats - AI technologies, while obviously beneficial, are being weaponised to develop more sophisticated cyberattacks. AI-powered malware and automated phishing campaigns increase the scale and precision of threats, challenging traditional security measures.
• Evolving Cyber Threat Tactics - Cyber criminals are constantly refining their methods to escape from being detected. Techniques such as living-off-the-land (LotL) attacks are now increasing for example, where existing tools are used with harmful intent, make it harder to identify malicious activities.
• Geopolitical Unpredictability – Fuelled by geopolitical tensions, certain groups add an unpredictable layer to the threat environment. These groups target government and critical infrastructure systems, making it even harder to defend against their attacks.
• Vendor Concentration Risks – Although the government has recently shown urgency to bring on a vast array of suppliers, historically the heavy reliance on a few major technology vendors has increased vulnerabilities where a breach in one vendor’s systems can cascade across multiple government departments, magnifying the impact of a single attack. The government’s Digital Ambition Plan stresses the need to diversify the government's technology portfolio, which is promising, but hurtles like legacy systems and traditional procurement practices that favour large-scale Requests for Proposal (RFPs) could stand in the way – at least at the start.
• Dual-Use Commercial Services in Danger - Commercial digital services, used both by the public and governments like Amazon Web Services, Google Cloud and Microsoft Teams are increasingly caught in cyberattacks and therefor clearly require careful management to secure the interests of both the public and private.
• Resource and Skill Constraints – It’s no secret government organisations struggle with limited budgets and a shortage of skilled cybersecurity professionals - these realities make it harder to stay ahead of evolving threats.
• Transitioning to Zero Trust Security - While adopting a Zero Trust model - where no user or device is trusted automatically - improves security, it can make it more difficult to keep operations running flexibly and without issues during the transition.
• Deepfakes are Ever-Present - This technology blurs the line between what’s real and what’s fake, often so convincing, it’s near impossible to tell the difference and unfortunately complicates efforts to counter misinformation and cyber fraud.
• Barriers to AI Implementation – Three major ones being Resistance to change, lack of understanding, and alignment issues hinder the effective adoption of AI in cybersecurity operations.

Next, Recent Cybersecurity Initiatives:

As mentioned earlier, the Canadian federal government is refusing to sit by while threats and challenges continue to shake the country’s foundations – rather it has launched several initiatives to bolster its cybersecurity posture:

• Enterprise Cyber Security Strategy - The focus of this strategy is all about updating government IT systems, fixing weak spots, and improving how quickly they can handle security incidents.
• Cybersecurity Operations Centre - A centralised hub of expert advice, guidance, services, and support on cybersecurity for the government, critical infrastructure operators, businesses, and the Canadian public. It keeps a close eye on threats in real time, ensuring quick detection and swift action to contain cyber incidents.
• Workforce Development - Efforts are in place to build a skilled cybersecurity workforce including training programs, certifications, and partnerships with educational institutions.
• Upgrading Laws and Policies - Updated laws and policies share the common goal which is to address emerging threats and provide a regulatory framework for cybersecurity best practices.
• Public-Private Partnerships – There has been a drive to increase collaboration with the private sector to strengthen cyber resilience by sharing threat intelligence and resources.
• Awareness and Education Campaigns – Initiatives like Cyber Security Awareness Month, cyber security programs for post-grads, and the Cyber Security Innovation Network to educate the public and government employees on cybersecurity risks help reduce human error, a leading cause of breaches.
• Incident Response and Recovery - Strong protocols have been set up to limit damage and bounce back quickly from cyberattacks, keeping government services running as they should.
• Secure Communications - Encrypted communication channels are being prioritised to protect sensitive information.
• Cybersecurity Frameworks and Standards - Adopting comprehensive frameworks ensures consistency and rigor in protecting digital assets across government agencies.

Many Challenges, Many Initiatives – Time Will Tell but So Will Adaptability and Commitment When it Comes to Securing the Country

As we have witnessed, the Canadian federal government is navigating the fast-changing world of cybersecurity head-on. While the challenges are significant—ranging from resource constraints to sophisticated cyber threats—ongoing initiatives demonstrate a commitment to securing the nation’s digital infrastructure. By embracing collaboration, innovative tech, and strong policies, Canada is shaping a more secure and resilient cyberspace for everyone. However, continuous investment and adaptation will be critical to staying ahead of the curve in this ever-changing field.