Our Current Research & Focus Areas
At NC-CIPSeR, we are continuously evolving our research, programs, and collaborative initiatives to support the protection, security, and resilience of Canada’s critical infrastructure sectors. This page serves as an evergreen list of our current areas of focus, reflecting our commitment to staying ahead of emerging threats, fostering innovation, and supporting national resilience. Through partnerships across government, industry, academia, and community organizations, we are building a comprehensive understanding of infrastructure risks and solutions, ensuring Canada is equipped for future challenges. We’re engaged and we’re busy.
Our focus is on four pillars of Research, Innovation, Collaboration and Education. We have traction in the following projects. Some projects are conceptually driven at this point but have been included to provide further insight into where we are headed.
Intelligence-led Approach
NC-CIPSeR will employ an intelligence-led approach to critical infrastructure protection, integrating real-time threat intelligence, risk assessments, and strategic foresight to help anticipate and mitigate risks before they escalate. By leveraging data and insights from Project CANVAS, open-source intelligence, expert analysis, and cross-sector collaboration, we will help decision-makers, policymakers, and infrastructure operators have the timely, relevant, and actionable intelligence they need to enhance resilience and security. This proactive approach helps identify emerging threats, track evolving risks, and inform evidence-based decision-making across all sectors. We’re building the foundation to do this effectively.
Information Sharing Project – Formal and Informal Mechanisms
NC-CIPSeR is actively studying the formal and informal information-sharing mechanisms used across Canada’s critical infrastructure sectors. This project identifies how threat intelligence, risk data, and best practices flow between operators, governments, and other stakeholders, helping to strengthen information-sharing frameworks and close critical gaps in the timely exchange of actionable intelligence. We are collaborating on key projects and innovative solutions.
Centre of Excellence
NC-CIPSeR’s Centre of Excellence will synergize many of our projects. It will include research to help standardize risk assessments and create a unified model for data acquisition By leveraging effective standards, creating common templates, methodologies, and training tools, the Centre can help ensure that risk assessments and data are comparable across sectors and jurisdictions, supporting more coordinated resilience planning at all levels. Our Certificate Program and Critical Infrastructure Security Series Reports are examples of modern knowledge translation. We can do this with the right partners.
Project CANVAS – Threat & Hazard Library
Project CANVAS is NC-CIPSeR’s national repository of threat and hazard profiles, combining historical data, real-time intelligence, and expert analysis to provide a constantly evolving picture of the threats facing Canada’s critical infrastructure. By integrating geospatial mapping and scenario modeling, Project CANVAS supports evidence-based decision-making, risk assessments, and emergency planning. We’re building the foundation.
Intelligence Hub (Repository)
The NC-CIPSeR Intelligence Hub is the central repository for national strategies, threat and risk assessments, sector-specific reports, case studies, and historical documents related to critical infrastructure protection, security, and resilience in Canada.This curated, evolving knowledge platform is designed to support researchers, policymakers, industry leaders, and emergency management professionals with timely, relevant, and evidence-based insights to help anticipate, mitigate, and respond to evolving threats.
Borealis Data Repository & Open Access Data Management Plan
NC-CIPSeR is building out its data repository using Borealis, following the open access principles outlined by the Government of Canada. Our goal is to create and curate the data Canada needs to better understand, assess, and manage critical infrastructure risks. This repository will store, organize, and share research data, threat profiles, and risk assessments to ensure the critical infrastructure community has access to high-quality, openly available data to support resilience efforts. We have a Data Management Plan.
Pillar & Prose Newsletter
Pillar & Prose is NC-CIPSeR’s newsletter, keeping volunteers, researchers, members and partners informed about ongoing projects, upcoming events, and opportunities for collaboration. By featuring updates from Project CANVAS, Pulse & Praxis, and volunteer initiatives, Pillar & Prose fosters a connected, informed community across all NC-CIPSeR programs and stakeholders. Join.
The Pulse – Intelligence Hub Connector
The Pulse is NC-CIPSeR’s opportunity to chime in on current events, national strategies, and case studies to connect audiences directly to NC-CIPSeR’s Intelligence Hub, Repository, and Threat Library. It provides timely analysis of emerging threats, linking readers to relevant data, research, strategies, threat assessments and insights to help inform decisions across sectors. It’s an engagement tool and is really about the repository. Engagement.
Pulse & Praxis Journal
Pulse & Praxis is NC-CIPSeR’s official journal, publishing applied research, expert insights, and practitioner analysis focused on critical infrastructure protection and resilience. The journal aims to translate cutting-edge research into actionable solutions, ensuring knowledge flows between researchers, practitioners, and policy-makers.The site uses Open Journal Systems 3.3.0.15, which is an open source journal management and publishing software developed, supported, and freely distributed by the Public Knowledge Project under the GNU General Public License. Journal is operating and publishing papers. Pulse & Praxis Special Editions: Energy Sector; Critical Infrastructure Interdependencies; Insider Risk.
NC-CIPSeR Awards Program
NC-CIPSeR’s Awards Program recognizes and celebrates leadership, innovation, and collaboration in critical infrastructure protection, security, and resilience. The awards highlight groundbreaking research, operational excellence, and collaborative projects, showcasing leading practices and inspiring future innovation. We would like to name the awards after sponsors or key partners. These could fund grants and further research.
Volunteer, Co-op or Field Placement Program
The NC-CIPSeR Volunteer Program, Co-op or Field Placement engages students, emerging professionals, and practitioners in critical infrastructure research, analysis, and outreach initiatives. Collaborating with partners to engage students through their organizations. Budgeting for students may fall within overarching organizational budgets. Volunteers contribute to Project CANVAS, Pulse & Praxis, and other projects and programs while participating in Mentor/Pulse Check meetings to provide input and help shape NC-CIPSeR’s evolving work. Helping build capacity while providing opportunity.
Annual NC-CIPSeR Conference
Launching in 2025, NC-CIPSeR’s Annual Conference will bring together leaders, researchers, and practitioners to explore emerging threats, highlight new research, and foster cross-sector collaboration. The conference will feature updates and insights from NC-CIPSeR including Project CANVAS, the Centre of Excellence, and sector-specific working groups, creating a national forum for critical infrastructure dialogue. April 29, 2025 will be invite only for the initial conference.
Energy Sector Task Force
NC-CIPSeR’s Energy Sector Task Force brings together industry, government, and academic partners to assess and address sector-specific issues including physical security, cyber risks (including Bill C-26), climate impacts, supply chain vulnerabilities and CI Prioritization. Building out a playbook to share with other sectors. Demonstrating capacity with key partners. This is important work. Let’s Go!
Certificate Program in Critical Infrastructure Protection, Security & Resilience
NC-CIPSeR is developing a Certificate Program to provide practical training in risk assessment, threat intelligence, cybersecurity, physical security, business continuity, and resilience planning. The program is partnered with key stakeholders and is designed to equip professionals, students, and leaders with the skills they need to protect Canada’s critical infrastructure. Upskill!
Infrastructure Analysis & Design
NC-CIPSeR supports infrastructure analysis and design research, developing cost-effective, resilient solutions for new and aging infrastructure systems. Research includes evaluating material properties, exploring innovative hybrid materials, and understanding infrastructure performance under natural and human-caused hazards.
Policy Solutions for Critical Infrastructure Protection
NC-CIPSeR’s policy research examines how policy tools, regulations, and incentives can enhance critical infrastructure protection and resilience. By identifying practical, collaborative solutions, we help policy-makers develop frameworks that balance security, resilience, and economic considerations. Current operational insight leads to effective policies.
Critical Infrastructure Interdependencies (CII)
NC-CIPSeR is actively mapping critical infrastructure interdependencies to understand how disruptions in one sector can cascade into others. Through modeling, analysis, and collaborative research, we are identifying vulnerabilities or points of failure and developing mitigation strategies to enhance cross-sector resilience. Employ advanced surveillance, econometrics and data analytics to improve CII situational awareness related to disruptions, cross-border trade, infrastructure, and public safety.
Canada’s National Economic Security List (2025)
On February 6, 2025, the Government of Canada released the Sensitive Technology List (STL)—the first in a series of national security-focused lists under the National Economic Security List (NESL) initiative. This marks a critical step in safeguarding Canada’s technological, economic, and infrastructure security, with additional lists on sensitive personal information and critical infrastructure expected to follow. We’ll be tracking these closely and assessing their value and impact on critical infrastructure and national security.
Critical Underwater Infrastructure (CUI)
Research to help identify and understand the evolving threats to Canada’s vital subsea assets, including communication cables, pipelines, and ocean monitoring systems is relevant considering the current geopolitical landscape. Understanding vulnerabilities across Canada’s maritime regions, including the Atlantic, Pacific, and Arctic waters is essential. As geopolitical tensions, technological advancements, and environmental factors increasingly threaten underwater infrastructure, our research and efforts aims to support proactive policy development, risk mitigation strategies, and innovative surveillance solutions to safeguard these critical assets.
SMRs in the Arctic
NC-CIPSeR is collaborating with government, industry, and academia to explore the deployment of Small Modular Reactors (SMRs) in Arctic regions and across Canada. Small Modular Reactors (SMRs) offer a secure, low-carbon energy solution to meet Canada’s climate goals while seamlessly integrating into critical systems.Technology is evolving faster than regulations, creating gaps in critical infrastructure protection. Using Digital Twins, we will model real-world scenarios to test and refine strategies. This work focuses on ensuring SMRs support energy security and environmental sustainability while addressing the unique operational and security challenges in remote and Indigenous communities like the Arctic. The Arctic is a focal point due to recent geopolitical threats.
Climate Change
Climate change is an amplifier of a host of threats and hazards. Conduct in-depth assessments of how climate change influences critical infrastructure and economic sectors. Develop resilience frameworks to mitigate risks like rising sea levels, extreme weather events, and resource scarcity. Position Canada as a leader in addressing climate-related challenges through innovation and sustainable practices.
Digital Twins – Partnered with Carleton Immersive Media Studio (CIMS)
In partnership with Carleton University’s Immersive Media Studio (CIMS), NC-CIPSeR is helping advance Digital Twin technology for critical infrastructure protection. Digital Twins allow for CI mapping, real-time monitoring, predictive modeling, and scenario testing, helping decision-makers visualize infrastructure performance and anticipate cascading failures across interconnected systems. Threading threats and hazards into scenarios and exercise along with interdependency data will be interesting.
Bill C-26 & Cyber
Bill C-26 will set a new benchmark for cybersecurity in Canada, mandating robust protective measures across designated sectors – Finance, Transportation, Telecommunication and Energy. Exploring the implementation of these Bills and the impact they may have on sectors. Policy advice and guidance, regulatory requirements and associated training. Senate briefing note submitted. Watching closely. Ready to help implement, train, measure.
Bill C-70 & National Security
Bill C-70 emphasizes the integration of national security considerations into critical infrastructure planning and operations. Keeping our finger on the pulse.
Supply Chain Risks
With increasing global interdependencies and vulnerabilities exposed by disruptions, our supply chain-focused initiatives aim to explore both digital and physical networks, raising questions to determine if they can withstand and recover from a variety of threats.Supply Chains have been an area of interest for the past several years with several events occurring that have highlighted the impact of vulnerabilities.
AI in Risk Assessment
NC-CIPSeR is exploring artificial intelligence (AI) as a tool to enhance risk assessment processes. AI supports the analysis of large datasets, identifies patterns, and helps forecast emerging threats, increasing the speed and accuracy of risk assessments while enhancing human decision-making. It’s not perfect so let’s ascertain it’s best use.
Modern knowldege Translation
NC-CIPSeR is adopting innovative approaches to Modern knowledge translation, one of which is the creation of short, informative videos. These videos aim to break down complex CIP research findings into digestible, engaging content (like videos) that can easily be understood by a wide audience, including policymakers, industry leaders, stakeholders and the general public. By leveraging visual storytelling, concise explanations, and real-world examples, these videos will highlight key research insights, emerging threats, and practical recommendations for enhancing the resilience of critical infrastructure. Research into action!
Hub Expansion TBD
We aren’t quite ready for this but the goal is to help develop CIPSeR hubs strategically located across the country. We have more foundational work to do but there is some great work happening already that could roll right into a Hub or two.
Blood Donation Partnership with Canadian Blood Services
NC-CIPSeR has partnered with Canadian Blood Services, encouraging our volunteers, colleagues, and partners to give back through regular blood donations. This partnership highlights our belief that community resilience — including public health system resilience — is an essential component of national security and emergency preparedness. Let’s give!