DAOD 2006-0, Defence Security

Table of Contents

1. Introduction
2. Definitions
3. Abbreviations
4. Policy Direction
5. Consequences
6. Authorities
7. References

1. Introduction

Date of Issue: 2015-06-15

Date of Last Modification: 2026-04-28

Date of Last Review: 2026-04-28

Application: This DAOD is a directive that applies to employees of the Department of National Defence (DND employees) and an order that applies to officers and non-commissioned members of the Canadian Armed Forces (CAF members).

Supersession:

• DAOD 1003-0, Business Continuity Planning
• DAOD 1003-1, Business Continuity Planning Program

Approval Authority: Director General Defence Security (DGDS)

Enquiries: Director Defence Security Policy, Training and Awareness (DDSPTA)

2. Definitions

security clearance (habilitation de sécurité)

The standard of security screening for all positions requiring access to Government of Canada classified information, assets, facilities or information technology systems. Security screening for a security clearance appraises an individual’s loyalty to Canada and their reliability as it relates to that loyalty. Security screening for security clearance can include enhanced inquiries, verifications and assessments when duties involve or directly support security and intelligence functions. (Appendix B of the Policy on Government Security, Treasury Board)

security control (mesure de sécurité)

A legal, administrative, operational or technical measure for satisfying security requirements. This term is synonymous with “safeguard.” (Appendix B of the Policy on Government Security, Treasury Board)

security status (cote de fiabilité)

The minimum level of security screening for positions requiring unsupervised access to Government of Canada information, assets, facilities or information technology systems. Security screening for reliability status appraises an individual’s honesty and whether they can be trusted to protect the employer’s interests. Reliability status may also be referred to herein as a security status. (Appendix B of the Policy on Government Security, Treasury Board)

3. Abbreviations

4. Policy Direction

Context

4.1 The TB PGS outlines the requirements for security in the GC and its departments. The PGS provides:

1. direction to manage government security in support of the trusted delivery of GC programs and services, the protection of information, individuals and assets; and
2. assurance to Canadians, partners, oversight bodies and other stakeholders regarding security management in the GC.

4.2 For the purposes of this DAOD, security is the condition achieved when DND employees, CAF members, information, assets, resources and facilities are protected against espionage, sabotage, subversion and terrorism, as well as against loss or unauthorized disclosure.

4.3 For the purposes of the PGS, the DGDS has been designated by the DM and the CDS as the CSO.

4.4 The extent to which the DND and the CAF can ensure their own security, in and outside of Canada, directly affects their ability to undertake missions for the protection of Canada and Canadians, and the maintenance of international peace and stability. The management of security requires the continuous assessment of risks as well as the implementation, monitoring and maintenance of appropriate internal security controls.

4.5 Threats to the DND and the CAF may come from various sources in or outside of Canada. The threats may be overt, covert or clandestine in nature. They may be deliberate, inadvertent or some combination of both. Threats may involve criminality, espionage, insider activity, sabotage, subversion or terrorism. Additionally, negligence, indifference, a lack of security awareness or culture, a concentration of assets, operational and financial constraints, and ever-changing technology may also contribute to security vulnerabilities. In order to maintain operational effectiveness, vulnerabilities must be continuously examined and monitored in light of existing and emerging threats.

4.6 Failure to provide adequately for security may result in the inability of the DND and the CAF to carry out essential missions and may have an effect on their engagement in numerous bilateral and multilateral security arrangements, including their involvement in shared programs, operations and activities, with the North Atlantic Treaty Organization and allied countries. Success in security can only be achieved through a common and collaborative approach, therefore, support of security policies by senior managers and the chain of command at all levels is essential.

4.7 Detailed security-related responsibilities for all DND employees and CAF members, including level one advisors and commanders of commands, are set out in applicable chapters and standards of the NDSOD. The DGDS division has been established as the organization responsible for security in the DND and the CAF, and for the issuance of the NDSOD.

Note – The NDSOD have replaced the:

• Security Orders for the Department of National Defence and the Canadian Forces;
• National Defence Security Policy;
• National Defence Security Instructions; and
• Defence Security Manual.

4.8 The PGS allows for the delegation of the authority for decisions to deny, revoke or suspend security status and security clearances from the Deputy Head (in the case of DND that is the DM and in the case of the CAF that the CDS). The DM and the CDS have delegated their authority in these areas to the CSO.

Policy Statement

4.9 The DND and the CAF are committed to strengthening and ensuring the security of DND employees, CAF members, information, assets, resources and facilities.

Requirements

4.10 This DAOD should be read in conjunction with DAOD 1000-8, Policy Framework for Safety and Security Management, the NDSOD and applicable security-related GC policies, directives and standards, interdepartmental arrangements, and international agreements and arrangements.

4.11 To implement this DAOD, the DND and the CAF must ensure that:

1. a security governance structure is established, with the necessary mechanisms and resources to provide effective and integrated security risk management, which sets out clear authorities and responsibilities for security within the DND and the CAF;
2. security is an integral component of planning and is embedded in DND and CAF frameworks, initiatives, projects, culture, day-to-day operations and leadership, and the behaviour of all DND employees and CAF members;
3. the continuity of DND business, CAF operations and critical services is maintained in the presence of security events, disruptions and emergencies;
4. the security roles and responsibilities of DND employees and CAF members are clearly delineated and understood;
5. DND employees, CAF members, contractors and other persons working within DND and CAF facilities receive security briefings and any required training;
6. all individuals who have access to DND and CAF information, assets and resources must have the appropriate security status or clearance before their duties begin;
7. functional security committees are established to provide additional oversight and forums for security risk management decisions;
8. security events are appropriately reported and managed;
9. interoperability and information exchanges are enabled through effective and consistent security measures and identity management practices;
10. security measures are adopted, amended and reflected in day-to-day operations in response to applicable security arrangements, partnerships and alliances; and
11. a comprehensive and integrated departmental Insider Risk Program exists that can prevent, detect and respond to insider risks and threats ensuring resilience to the evolving threat landscape.

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5. Consequences

5.1 Should clarification of the policy statement, requirements or authorities set out in this DAOD be required, DND employees and CAF members may seek direction through their channel of communication or chain of command, as appropriate. The anticipated results set out in the policy statement may not be achieved by the DND and the CAF if the requirements specified in this DAOD are not properly implemented. Not achieving the anticipated results could affect the ability of the DND and the CAF to ensure that the CAF is prepared to undertake missions for the protection of Canada and Canadians, and the maintenance of international peace and stability.

6. Authorities

Authority Table

6.1 The following table identifies the authorities associated with this DAOD:

7. References

Acts, Regulations, Central Agency Policies and Policy DAOD

• Access to Information Act
• Canadian Human Rights Act
• Financial Administration Act
• Foreign Interference and Security of Information Act
• National Defence Act
• Privacy Act
• Framework for the Management of Compliance, Treasury Board
• Policy on Government Security, Treasury Board
• Policy on Service and Digital, Treasury Board
• Directive on Identity Management, Treasury Board
• Directive on Security Management,Treasury Board
• Directive on Security Screening, Treasury Board
• DAOD 1000-8,Policy Framework for Safety and Security Management

Other References

• DAOD 2006-1, Procedures for the Safeguarding and Authorized Disclosure of Information in the DND and the CAF
• DAOD 9001-1,Absence or Incapacity of the Chief of the Defence Staff and Activation of an Alternate Canadian Forces Integrated Command Centre
• National Defence Security Orders and Directives
• Communications Security Establishment website
• Royal Canadian Mounted Police website

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