National and Cyber Security Branch Overview
Branch Background
The National and Cyber Security Branch (NCSB) aims to ensure that Canada is prepared for, and can respond to, a range of national security and cyber security threats by:
- Supporting and coordinating the prevention, detection, denial, response and recovery efforts of the Public Safety Portfolio, and other government departments and agencies, on matters relevant to national and cyber security;
- Working with operational and policy partners to provide the federal government with strategic advice on rapidly evolving and often sensitive security issues;
- Assisting the Minister and Deputy Minister in fulfilling key statutory obligations;
- Identifying and closing gaps in Canada’s ability to address cyber and other national security threats; and
- Coordinating, and developing policies and implementation processes related to issues such as ransomware, cyber incident response, foreign investments, anti-terrorist financing, critical infrastructure, the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction, research security, hostile state activity and counter terrorism (e.g., the listing of terrorist entities, travel abroad for terrorism related purposes, ideologically motivated violent extremism).
As of July 2022, NCSB has a total of 186 full-time employees (FTEs) (202 headcount) with a current salary budget of approximately $18 million and an Operations and Maintenance (O&M) budget of $3.3 million.
The newly-established Associate Assistant Deputy Minister on HASA and economic security leads the support design and implementation of the Counter-HASA coordination office, which will cover HASA-related policy and coordination functions, as well as the Economic Security Hub (ISED co-lead) and the Research Security Centre. They will also support inter-governmental efforts to modernize the intelligence assessment function.
Key Files and Responsibilities
The Branch comprises four Directorates: National Security Policy, National Cyber Security, National Security Operations and Critical Infrastructure. Recently, an Associate Assistant Deputy Minister position was created in NCSB specifically to advance the establishment of the Counter-Hostile Activities by State Actors (HASA) Coordination Office, which includes foreign interference and economic security.
National Security Policy Directorate
The National Security Policy Directoratesupports the Minister in coordinating key national security policy issues. Key responsibilities include: the Passenger Protect Program and Passport Program; implementation and review of the National Security Act, 2017; Canadian Extremist Travellers; Terrorist Financing; Counter Proliferation; Research Security; Ideologically Motivated Violent Extremism; Intelligence and Evidence; Lawful Access; Transparency; Bias Sensitivity, Diversity and Identity in National Security; CLOUD Act; the Security of Canada Information Disclosure Act; the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act (IRPA) Division 9/National security Inadmissibility Initiative; and the Five Country Ministerial. The Directorate also provides advice to the Minister in support of their accountability for the Canadian Security Intelligence Service.
National Cyber Security Directorate
The National Cyber Security Directorate (NCSD), as Canada’s cyber security policy lead, supports the Minister in coordinating the government’s overall policy approach on cyber security. Key files include the National Cyber Security Strategy and current renewal efforts, Bill C-26: An Act Respecting Cyber Security, including amendments to the Telecommunications Act and the Critical Cyber Systems Protection Act; as well as Ransomware, public attributions, the development of a Federal Cyber Incident Response Plan, and coordination of Canada’s involvement in the Ottawa Five, a Five Eyes cyber security policy forum. NCSD also acts as the secretariat for various cyber governance committees.
National Security Operations Directorate
The National Security Operations Directorate coordinates and leads activities to prevent individuals and entities who pose threats to national security from operating in Canada. Key files include Terrorist Listings and authorizations/exemptions, Hostile Activities by State Actors, National Security Operations Incident Management, Investment Canada Act, national security review, Economic-based National Security including the Sensitive Technology List, Canadian Extremist Travelers, and kidnappings.
Critical Infrastructure Directorate
The Critical Infrastructure Directorate is responsible for supporting the Minister in leading an overall national effort to enhance the resilience of Canada’s critical infrastructure (CI) against all hazards. Key files include the National Strategy and Action Plan for Critical Infrastructure; the National Cross Sector Forum; and cyber and physical resilience assessments, analysis, exercises, symposiums and workshops.
Key Partners
Given the diversity and depth of the Branch, key partners can greatly vary. The Branch regularly works with the Portfolio entities, other government departments, the provinces and territories, and private and public sector critical infrastructure owners and operators. Key international partners are the Five Eyes alliance and the G7.
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