By Gary Miller, Vice President, Cybersecurity Programs and Services
Canada’s research and education (R&E) community is driving discovery, innovation, and impact – from AI and ocean engineering to mental health and Indigenous governance. The Government of Canada’s newly announced budget strengthens this momentum, committing $1.7 billion to advance international talent recruitment through major investments in research chairs, infrastructure, and fellowships. This includes $1 billion over 13 years to the tri-councils to launch an accelerated research chairs initiative, $400 million over seven years to the Canada Foundation for Innovation to support complementary research infrastructure, $133.6 million over three years to attract top international doctoral students and postdoctoral fellows, and $120 million over 12 years to help universities recruit international assistant professors. These investments reinforce Canada’s commitment to advancing its knowledge assets and innovation economy. But as the cyber-threat landscape continues to evolve, protecting the data, research, and intellectual property emerging across Canada has never been more essential.
To strengthen that protection, CANARIE launched a sector-wide initiative in 2024 – forming a national working group of IT and cybersecurity leaders from the R&E sector to guide and inform the process, ensuring it reflected the realities and priorities of the community. To design the survey, gather the data, and conduct the analysis, CANARIE engaged a leading global consultancy with expertise in cybersecurity and data analytics. Together, we built a national baseline of cybersecurity investment in Canada’s R&E sector.
Armed with this data, we now know where to invest more and find further efficiencies – because the bad actors targeting our institutions aren’t pinching pennies in pursuing us. This evidence-based understanding gives us the clarity and confidence to strengthen our defences where it matters most.
Why don’t we publish all the detailed data from our survey publicly? Because when it comes to defence, visibility can be a double-edged sword. Both the good guys – and the bad – are watching. By keeping the detailed findings within the trusted circle of the R&E community, we protect our strategy, our institutions, and our research. What we can share is this: we now have a clearer path forward, and we’re acting together.
With support from the R&E sector and the Government of Canada, CANARIE and its partners are advancing a shared vision – a national, federated approach to securing the R&E sector. Because when it comes to cybersecurity, and to safeguarding Canada’s innovation future, we are truly stronger together.