Canada’s Ministry of Defence has launched a new armed forces command dedicated to modern cyber operations.
The Armed Forces Cyber Command (CAFCYBERCOM) will run as a single unified authority that will consolidate the military’s digital capabilities for cybersecurity strategies and related force sustainment, management, and development tasks.
The unit will consist of Signals Intelligence and Joint Electronic Warfare to facilitate and support different works across cyberspace.
“The new organization will focus resources so that we can advance existing activities in cyberspace related to operations, personnel, policies, and capabilities,” Canadian Chief of Defence Staff Gen. Jennie Carignan stated.
Ottawa noted that the new command will be supervised by Major General Dave Yarker, who has been a senior advisor at the Communications Security Establishment, the lead of the Canadian Forces Information Operations Group, director general of Information Management Operations, and a commander of the Joint Force Cyber Component.
“Building decisive advantage in the cyber domain demands speed, trust, agility and unity of effort, and I am proud to be appointed as the head of the organization that will strive to deliver just that,” Yarker remarked.
Addressing the Evolving Domain
After its activation, CAFCYBERCOM will “develop and scale offensive and defensive cyber operations capabilities” in coordination with the government’s Communications Security Establishment (CSE) cryptologic agency to produce appropriate and specialized cyber solutions.
“CSE has been a critical CAF partner since our inception,” CSE Chief Caroline Xavier commented. “Working together comes naturally to us, and the CAF Cyber Command will be no different.”
“That’s why we are uniting our already world-class foreign cyber operations capabilities to protect Canada in a complex world. At a time when we face cyber warfare even in peacetime, this partnership will benefit Canadians as well as Canada’s allies and give us all better visibility on the evolving threat landscape we navigate every day.”
Ensuring Allied Support
In addition to domestic cyber missions, CAFCYBERCOM will aid the armed forces in delivering Canada’s international security commitments to NATO, the Five Eyes Alliance, and NORAD.
“The establishment of the Canadian Armed Forces Cyber Command demonstrates to our allies, partners, and adversaries Canada’s ongoing commitment to operating in a challenging cyber domain,” Canadian Defence Minister Bill Blair stated.
“By enhancing our work in the cyber domain, and by continuing to collaborate with our partners and allies, we can detect, deter, and defend against cyber threats and malicious actors targeting Canada and our interests.”
