Transfer for Joint Initiatives

National Defence works closely with the Communications Security Establishment to develop strong, agile, and cutting-edge defence in cyberspace.
In these Estimates, National Defence is transferring approximately $6.9 million to the Communications Security Establishment.
These funds will help staff the Resource Development Office, which is jointly-managed by the Communications Security Establishment and National Defence.
This Office is mandated to plan, coordinate, and monitor the efforts required to establish a unified approach to foreign cyber operations conducted under their respective mandates.
Funds will also be used to acquire the technical capabilities needed to ensure that the Canadian Armed Forces can operate effectively in cyberspace, including in future cyber operations.
National Defence will continue to leverage the Communications Security Establishment’s unique capabilities and expertise and to develop specialized cyber capabilities.

Key Facts

Funds transferred to the Communications Security Establishment will be used to support:
- Staffing the Resource Development Office Foreign Cyber Operations: $3.13M
- Canadian Armed Forces Signals Intelligence and Cyber capability: $3.75M

In 2019, the Chief of the Defence Staff, the Chief of the Communications Security Establishment (CSE), and the Deputy Minister of National Defence directed National Defence and CSE to develop interagency cooperation in the delivery of a foreign cyber operations capability.
They also directed that an interagency RDO be formed to oversee planning and implementation to deliver this foreign cyber operations.
In September 2019, National Defence and CSE signed a Memorandum of Understanding, which established the procedures for the transfer of funding from National Defence to CSE to support the establishment and sustainment of the RDO.

The Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) and CSE have a long history of partnership in the development of highly technical and specialized capabilities that support CAF operations. This relationship continues with the emerging cyber capability development requirements.
Cooperation between CSE and the CAF ensures the best use of tools and capabilities, reduce duplication of efforts, and improve the chances of meeting mission objectives.
CSE has the technical expertise and the required resources in place to support the CAF requirements.

Version 5; 2020-02-26 – Source: Director Budget draft tab; Supps (B) 2019 note on CSE transfer