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Cyber. Right. Now.

Cyber. Right. Now.

In an increasingly interconnected and digital world, cybersecurity is an ever more vital topic for Canadians, government and businesses alike.

The Council

Canada is well-positioned to be a leader in cybersecurity with a strong foundation already in place thanks to our leading firms, technology and talent — but our global competitors are moving fast. The Canadian Chamber of Commerce and its members on the Cyber. Right. Now. Council are committed to engaging with government to shape new strategies and legislation that will help enhance the global competitiveness of Canadian cybersecurity solutions and realize Canada’s potential as the most cyber-secure country in the world.

Since cybersecurity is essential to Canada’s national and economic security, the Council is focused on shaping key policy priorities to ensure that the federal government invests in cybersecurity at levels on-par with G7 peers to protect Canada’s infrastructure, business and communities from ever-evolving threats. Increased action and investment in cybersecurity stands to benefit all Canadians which is why the Council aims to advance talent development, workforce diversification, DEI, research and development and commercialization in the space.

The Council is made up of a diverse group of organizations of all sizes from across Canada that are operating in cybersecurity, technology, finance, telecommunications, energy and other sectors.

Policy Priorities

Accelerating the competitiveness of Canada’s cybersecurity industry will require continuous and strategic investment in cybersecurity innovation, talent development and infrastructure. In a tightly competitive global market, Canada finds itself at risk of being left behind.

Government must:

  • Accelerate and scale the commercialization of cybersecurity innovation in Canada by establishing a Cybersecurity Commercialization Program that bridges the gap between research, product development and optimization in high-impact and high-reward areas.
  • Modernize research and development programs as well as intellectual property strategies to reward companies undertaking high-risk research where near-term returns on investment are absent.
  • Create opportunities for made-in-Canada cybersecurity products and services by establishing a Cybersecurity Technology Early Adoption Program that encourages public and private entities to become early adopters.

Co-Chairs

David Shipley
Chief Executive Officer
Beauceron Security

John de Boer
Senior Director, Government Affairs and Public Policy, Canada
BlackBerry

For more information on Cyber. Right. Now., please contact Ulrike Bahr-Gedalia, Senior Director, Digital Economy, Technology & Innovation.

Updates

Ulrike Bahr-Gedalia, Senior Director of Digital Economy, Technology, and Innovation at the Canadian Chamber, and Cyber. Right. Now. Council Lead, was invited to participate on a panel at the Canadian Internet Society’s Digital Access Day on February 11. Read more.

On November 18, 2024, the Cyber. Right. Now. Council hosted its second in-person series of meetings with senior government officials to discuss the state of cybersecurity, cybercrime, cyber resilience and cybersecurity legislation in Canada. Read more.

On November 4, 2024, our Senior Director, Digital Economy, Technology & Innovation, Ulrike Bahr-Gedalia, appeared before the Senate Standing Committee on National Security, Defence and Veterans Affairs to express our concerns on Bill C-26, an Act respecting cyber security. Read more.

In advance of the 4th annual International Counter Ransomware Initiative (CRI) summit, Ulrike Bahr-Gedalia, Senior Director, Digital Economy, Technology & Innovation at the Canadian Chamber of Commerce, interviewed technology industry leader Marjorie Dickman, Chief Government Affairs and Public Policy Officer at BlackBerry, about the rising threat of ransomware. Read more.

Canadian Chamber of Commerce’s statement regarding the Auditor General’s recent report that found the RCMP, the CSE and the CRTC lack the right tools to protect Canadians from cyberattacks and online crime. Read more.

Op-ed: Canada’s cybersecurity gap needs to be addressed now. The Hill Times. Read more.

Ulrike Bahr-Gedalia, Cyber. Right. Now. Lead and Senior Director, Digital Economy, Technology & Innovation at the Canadian Chamber, was selected to join the B20 Brazil Task Force on Digital Transformation. The task force will take a closer look at the potential and impact of digital technologies, including cybersecurity. Read more.

On February 5, 2024, our Senior Director of Digital Economy, Technology and Innovation Ulrike Bahr-Gedalia, addressed the House of Commons Standing Committee on Public Safety and National Security to discuss Bill C-26, an act respecting cybersecurity. Read more.

Members