Introducing Pillar & Prose: A Gateway to Building a Community in Infrastructure Protection, Security and Resilience 

Welcome to Pillar and Prose, the latest addition to your reading list that’s set to redefine how we think and talk about critical infrastructure protection and security resilience. Our goal for this newsletter is more than just a collection of updates; it’s designed to inspire, inform, and ignite conversation among those who are interested and passionate about safeguarding our nation’s most vital systems.

Why Pillar & Prose?

The name Pillar & Prose embodies the dual focus of our content. Pillar represents the strong foundation of collaboration, knowledge, expertise, and innovation that is central to our mission at NC-CIPSeR. Just as pillars support and uphold a structure, the insights and information we share are meant to strengthen your understanding and engagement with the world of critical infrastructure protection.

Prose, on the other hand, reflects the art of storytelling. We believe that the way information is communicated is just as important as the content itself. Through engaging narratives, thoughtful analysis, and compelling stories, we hope to bring complex topics to life, making them accessible and relevant to our readers. It’s where the technical meets the creative, resulting in a newsletter that is both informative and enjoyable to read.

What Makes Pillar & Prose Unique?

• In-Depth Updates and Analysis: Each edition dives deep into our latest developments with NC-CIPSeR and Pulse & Praxis Journal.
• Diverse Perspectives: We feature voices from across the sector – from academics and industry leaders to on-the-ground practitioners and emerging thinkers – ensuring a well-rounded and inclusive approach to the issues at hand.
• Engaging Content: With a mix of brief articles, interviews, case studies, and opinion pieces, Pillar & Prose is designed to keep you informed and engaged. Our content is crafted to resonate with both experts in the field and those new to the topic.
• Knowledge Translation: By utilizing visual storytelling, clear explanations, and real-world examples, we aim to reach a broad audience, including policymakers, industry leaders, stakeholders, and the general public.
• Volunteer Victories:  Our volunteers need a place to demonstrate the great work they do and we need a place to highlight who they are.
• Upcoming Events: Meetings, conferences, workshops and training opportuntiies will be listed

In this inaugural edition of Pillar & Prose, we are proud to highlight how NC-CIPSeR is laying a robust foundation while simultaneously demonstrating our capacity. With the establishment of our Advisory Panel, we are bringing together thought leaders and experts who are steering our strategic direction with insight and purpose. Our initial projects, are strategically selected and reflect our commitment to collaboration, excellence and innovation. Additionally, our carefully crafted financial strategy (draft) hopefully ensures sustainable growth, empowering us to continue advancing critical infrastructure protection, security and resilience across Canada. Through these combined efforts, NC-CIPSeR is not just building a foundation but also demonstrating our readiness to lead and innovate in the field.  We’re not quite ready to open our partnership model as we still have alot of foundational work to do.

In this section of Pillar & Prose, we’ll keep you informed about our projects, our people, and our biggest challenges within our community. Of course we’ll highlight our successes as well.

Our Advisory Panel: Photo TBD

Our foundational Partners TBD Photo

In 2003 a visionary group of professors, policy analysts, and engineers, created a plan to develop the Infrastructure Protection and International Security Program with a shared goal: to propel forward-thinking research and innovation in the critical field of infrastructure protection and resilience.

Leading the initiative were Professor Halim Abdel Halim (then the Chair of Civil and Environmental Engineering at Carleton, or CEE) and Professor Martin Rudner (a previous Associate Director of the Norman Paterson School of International Affairs, or NPSIA). They received the intellectual and administrative support of several colleagues, including Professor Dane Rowlands (then Associate Director at NPSIA); Dr. Felix Kwamena (Natural Resources Canada); Dr. Ettore Contestibile (engineering consultant), Professor Jeremy Littlewood (then at NPSIA); Professor Paul Van Geel (CEE), Professor Siva Sivathayalan (CEE), Professor George Hadjisophocleous (CEE) and Mr. Jacques Shore.

Learn the rest of the story here: NC-CIPSeR Building on the Work of Others

Twenty years after IPIS was formed, in 2023, NC-CIPSeR became a reality.  Here’s the beginning of that next chapter:

The COVID-19 pandemic exposed vulnerabilities in various sectors of critical infrastructure, from healthcare systems to supply chains, transportation networks, and public safety. These weaknesses led to widespread conversations about the need for greater resilience, better coordination, and robust contingency planning.

Shorlty after, the Freedom Convoy, which brought parts of Canada to a standstill, further underscored the fragility of certain infrastructure elements, particularly in urban centers and along key transportation routes. The incident highlighted the potential for social movements and protests to disrupt not just daily life but also essential services, prompting a reassessment of how critical infrastructure is protected and managed.  Many folks working in this space recognized opportunities for improvement.

*Enter Bill Ulicny, Tyson Macaulay, Yves Poirier | *Enter Carleton’s Alex Wilner, Teddy Sammy and Sandra Crocker/Chris Lannon| *Enter Chris Piercey & NRCan team

Learn the rest of the story

Pulse & Praxis Journal

Pulse & Praxis: Advancing Critical Infrastructure Protection Together

In alignment with NC-CIPSeR’s mission, Pulse & Praxis serves as the academic and practical voice of our collective efforts to safeguard critical infrastructure. As the official journal of NC-CIPSeR, Pulse & Praxis publishes cutting-edge research, innovative strategies, and interdisciplinary collaborations that drive the field forward. Through this journal, we connect scholars, practitioners, and policymakers, fostering a vibrant community dedicated to resilience and security. Make no mistake, the goal is not the final product – it’s engagement.

The insights shared in Pulse & Praxis complement the discussions and updates you find in Pillar & Prose, our NC-CIPSeR newsletter. Together, they create a comprehensive platform for knowledge exchange, bridging the gap between research, policy, and practice, and ensuring that the latest advancements in critical infrastructure protection are both accessible and actionable for our community.

In this section of Pillar & Prose, we’ll keep you informed about the latest publications, ongoing engagements, and the innovative ideas emerging from our authors, writers, editors, and the broader Pulse & Praxis community. As the official journal of NC-CIPSeR, Pulse & Praxis is not just a platform for cutting-edge research—it’s a hub for collaboration, dialogue, and the exchange of ideas that drive our shared mission forward. Whether you’re looking to stay updated on the latest articles, discover new research opportunities, or connect with fellow professionals, this space will keep you in the loop on all things Pulse & Praxis.

Pat Moore and the Macodrum Library team have been so wonderful in their support in setting up the journal, exploring Borealis and helping to create a Data Management Plan for NC-CIPSeR and Pulse & Praxis. Thank you!!

Visit Pulse & Praxis

Our Spotlight area is to highlight work that is being done within this space:  Rsearch, Innovation, Collaboration and Education that deserves some attention and recognition.  If you know of someone who stands out for whatever reason, please contact us.

Call for Submissions: RICE Spotlight in Pulse & Praxis!

Are you or your organization at the forefront of Research, Innovation, Collaboration, or Education in critical infrastructure protection, security, and resilience? Do you have a groundbreaking project, innovative solution, or impactful collaboration that deserves recognition? If so, we want to hear from you!

Introducing the RICE Spotlight:

The RICE Spotlight (Research, Innovation, Collaboration, and Education) is a dedicated section within Pulse & Praxis Journal that shines a light on excellence and leadership across these four critical areas. We are seeking submissions that showcase the most dynamic and influential work happening today.

Special Edition: Critical Infrastructure Interdependencies

Pulse & Praxis and Tyson Macaulay invite you to contribute to a special edition dedicated to exploring the vital interdependencies among critical infrastructure systems. As global challenges such as climate change, cyber threats, and technological advancements shape our world, understanding these interdependencies is crucial for ensuring the resilience and security of our infrastructure networks.  Join Tyson as he connects globally with experts exploring critical infrastructure interdependencies.

Special Edition of Pulse & Praxis: Pulse Check: Exploring Threats to Critical Infrastructure

This special edition, “Pulse Check: Exploring Threats to Critical Infrastructure,” is designed to take the pulse of the current state of critical infrastructure protection. It will highlight the innovative approaches being used and developed by government, industry and academia – and will showcase Project CANVAS, which brings together cutting-edge technology, interdisciplinary research, and collaborative partnerships to explore both traditional and emerging threats, including those exacerbated by climate change.

NC-CIPSeR is at the forefront of innovative knowledge translation, leveraging the combined expertise and research of both NC-CIPSeR and Pulse & Praxis to create impactful short videos. These videos are designed to distill complex critical infrastructure protection (CIP) research into accessible and engaging content. By utilizing visual storytelling, clear explanations, and real-world examples, we aim to reach a broad audience, including policymakers, industry leaders, stakeholders, and the general public. These videos will effectively communicate key research insights, highlight emerging threats, and provide practical recommendations to enhance the resilience of critical infrastructure. Through this approach, we are making sure that vital knowledge is not just shared but understood and applied where it matters most.

Introduce our lead, Ben McGrath

Photo TBD

Why Should You Sign Up?

Subscribing to Pillar and Prose means staying ahead of the curve in a rapidly evolving field. Whether you’re a professional in the industry, an academic, a policy maker, or simply someone with a keen interest in the future of infrastructure security, this newsletter is your go-to resource for staying informed and inspired.

By signing up, you’ll gain access to a community of like-minded individuals who share your passion for making Canada safer and more resilient. Each edition of Pillar and Prose promises to bring you closer to the heart of critical infrastructure protection, offering insights that are both practical and thought-provoking.

Join us on this journey. Sign up for Pillar and Prose today, and become part of the conversation that’s shaping the future of our nation’s security.