Increased capacity to assist Canadian political parties and elections administrators

Strengthening cyber systems

The compromise of cyber systems used by political parties, or the cyber systems that support the work of elections administrators, has the risk of disrupting or undermining public confidence in electoral processes. As such, it is in Canada’s interest that these systems are adequately protected against malicious cyber activity.

The Communications Security Establishment (CSE) is already providing cyber security assistance to Elections Canada as they prepare for future General Elections.

To help increase the security of cyber systems used by Canadian political parties and elections administrators, the CSE continues to offer its capacity to provide technical advice, guidance, and services. This includes:

• network architecture review and advice;
• security review of IT requests for proposals; and,
• guidance on, and assessment of, third party cyber security service providers that meet a key list of IT security standards.

Classified briefings to political party leadership

The CSE, the Canadian Security Intelligence Service (CSIS), Global Affairs Canada (GAC), and the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) will continue to provide classified threat briefings to key political party leadership to help them to strengthen their internal security practices, and build their awareness of foreign-influenced activities in Canada.

To allow this to occur, the Privy Council Office (PCO) will continue to sponsor security clearances for individuals from the political parties represented in the House of Commons.