The Canadian Security Intelligence Service45 (CSIS) also has a role in protecting Canada from national security cyber threats, including the hostile activities of state actors. Using its intelligence collection and threat reduction mandates, bolstered by its array of international partnerships, CSIS investigates cyber threats of national security concern, thwarts malicious cyber actors, and provides intelligence assessments and advice across the federal government. The Royal Canadian Mounted Police’s46 (RCMP) Federal Policing Cybercrime Program investigates cyber-related criminal activity and threats to national security. This includes cybercrime directed against institutions of government, critical infrastructure of national importance, and key Canadian institutions and business assets. To reinforce these efforts, the Government of Canada will build and strengthen partnerships beyond the federal government. For example, the Government of Canada, through the Canadian Cyber Defence Collective (CCDC), will bring together industry experts, academia, and other levels of government to examine challenges and solutions to national-level cyber security issues. The Government of Canada recognizes that cyber security readiness varies across the country. Indigenous communities, as well as small and rural municipalities, do not always have the tools and resources needed to fully protect their systems and information. The Government of Canada will explore ways to reduce this inequality through targeted investments, using mechanisms such as Public Safety Canada’s47 Cyber Security Cooperation Program48 (CSCP). In addition, as threat actors become more sophisticated, it is increasingly important that we use threat intelligence to block threats before they can harm their intended targets. In 2022, the Government of Canada laid the groundwork for filtering of malicious activity at the level of Canadian internet service providers (ISPs) through initial reporting requirements. The Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission49 (CRTC) also intends to implement mandatory rules for blocking botnets by ISPs following consultations. Further collaboration will be needed to develop and expand threat-blocking capabilities to provide automatic protection to Canadians. 45 46 47 48 49 https://www.canada.ca/en/security-intelligence-service.html https://www.rcmp-grc.gc.ca/ https://www.publicsafety.gc.ca/index-en.aspx https://www.publicsafety.gc.ca/cnt/ntnl-scrt/cbr-scrt/cprtn-prgrm/index-en.aspx https://crtc.gc.ca/eng/home-accueil.htm National Cyber Security Strategy 27