Canadian Armed Forces Establishes New Cyber Command to Counter Evolving Threats.

On September 26, 2024, in Ottawa, the Honourable Bill Blair, Minister of National Defence, and General Jennie Carignan, Chief of the Defence Staff, officially announced the creation of the Canadian Armed Forces Cyber Command (CAFCYBERCOM). This new unified command will consolidate the Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) cyber capabilities, thus enhancing the military's ability to counter threats in cyberspace.

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Canadian Armed Forces Cyber Command (Picture source: Canada MoD)

The creation of CAFCYBERCOM marks a key milestone for the Department of National Defence (DND) and the CAF. This command reflects Canada’s commitment, outlined in Strong, Secure, Engaged, to establish a structure dedicated to cyber operations, highlighting the growing importance of cyber capabilities in modern military operations.

The new command will be led by Major-General Dave Yarker, who will be responsible for the management, sustainment, and development of the armed forces' cyber capabilities. Drawing on his experience as Commander of the Joint Cyber Component and advisor at the Communications Security Establishment (CSE), Yarker will leverage his expertise to guide this organization toward new strategic advances in the cyber domain.

Stefanie Beck, Deputy Minister of National Defence, expressed her support for the appointment, stating, "I congratulate Major-General Yarker on his new role as head of the Canadian Armed Forces Cyber Command. He brings significant expertise and leadership to the command, benefiting the Defence team and all Canadians."

CAFCYBERCOM will work closely with the Communications Security Establishment, strengthening a long-standing relationship in developing specialized and technical capabilities to support military operations. Over the years, the partnership between the CAF and CSE has deepened, covering both cybersecurity and offensive and defensive cyber operations. This collaboration aims to develop specialized solutions to respond to emerging threats in an ever-evolving digital environment.

Caroline Xavier, Chief of the CSE, emphasized the importance of this partnership, stating, "The CSE has been a key partner of the CAF since our inception. Working together comes naturally to us, and the Canadian Armed Forces Cyber Command will be no exception. This partnership will benefit both Canadians and Canada’s allies, giving us better visibility of the constantly evolving threat landscape."

In addition to its national missions, CAFCYBERCOM will play a central role in fulfilling Canada’s international commitments, particularly within NATO, NORAD, and the Five Eyes Alliance. The new command will support initiatives such as the Virtual Cyber Incident Support Capability and the Sovereign Cyber Effects Provided Voluntarily by Allies within NATO.

Minister Bill Blair underscored the importance of this initiative for international security, stating, "The creation of the Canadian Armed Forces Cyber Command demonstrates Canada’s continued commitment to operating in a complex cyber domain. By enhancing our work in this area and continuing to collaborate with our allies, we will be better equipped to detect, deter, and defend against cyber threats targeting Canada and its interests."

CAFCYBERCOM will play a key role in the CAF’s transition to a pan-domain battlespace, capable of responding with agility to malicious activities in cyberspace. By consolidating signals intelligence and joint electronic warfare capabilities, the command will be able to support a range of offensive and defensive cyber operations, while contributing to the achievement of Canada’s strategic objectives in the Indo-Pacific region.