$20m to fund cyber strategies

Stating that “sophisticated threats demand sophisticated responses,” Defence Minister Peter MacKay has committed $20 million to fund projects aimed at making Canada safer from cyber attacks.

Among the 26 science and technology initiatives to receive funding is a joint government-academic project to develop capabilities to “identify, locate and mitigate potential wireless security threats,” strengthen Canada's digital infrastructure, and improve responses to cyber threats. The partners in the project are Defence Research and Development Canada, Laval University in Quebec City and the University of Western Ontario in London.

In addition, the government of the Yukon Territory will lead the development of an inventory of disaster and security risks, which will be used to support decisions related to infrastructure protection.

All the projects form part of the Canadian Safety and Security Program, a joint venture of National Defence and Public Safety Canada that was announced in 2012.