Canadian Cyber in Context in 2025
A look back and what it means going forward into 2025 and beyond
Canadian Cyber in Context began 2024 very earnestly with a list of ambitious goals in scope and depth. A lot has changed throughout 2024, allowing greater specialization and focus going forward. From the beginning, the focus and purpose of Canadian Cyber in Context has been to provide clarity and insight into public policy related to Canadian cyber defence. Throughout 2024, experiments with content allowed me to understand what gained subscribers' greatest attention and the most consistent reads and drew new subscribers.
The creation of the Digital Services Group and Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) Cyber Command in 2024 have fuel cultural shift in the Department of National Defence (DND) and CAF, and I can only hope that this fuels a similar change toward digital and cyber needs across DND/CAF. As we head into 2025, this will likely be an even busier year with the strong likelihood of a Canadian election, where security and defence will likely be an important platform for each party for the first time since the 2000s.
We are at an important inflection point in Canada regarding how we understand government and defence policy. There are many reasons for the poor relationship Canadians and politicians have with cybersecurity and cyber defence, but a poor collective understanding harms all Canadians. There is a serious lack of effective research and public communication on the intersection between public policy and cyber defence.
The mission of Canadian Cyber in Context is to address this gap.
Focus Areas for 2025
The greatest interests are in:
The Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) Cyber Command (CYBERCOM)
Canadian Program for Cyber Security Certification (CPCSC)
Broader commentary and analysis on major Canadian cyber defence policy events and news
The engagement rate with monthly news aggregation was low, leading to its premature end, but the potential remains open to start this again in the future for paid subscribers if there is sufficient interest.
Planned Projects for 2025
In addition to ongoing coverage over CAFCYBERCOM, CPCSC, and broader Canadian cyber defence news, there will be larger, ongoing projects.
CAF Cyber History Project
The CAF Cyber History Project will receive the majority of the focus in 2025, which will include:
A public timeline of how the CAF developed its cyber operations program from 1999 to today.
Roadshow talk: “Following the Digital Snail’s Trail: The Short History of CAF Cyber Operations.”
This is my ongoing talk, which I have presented in 15- and 40-minute formats.
If you are interested in having me present on the history of the Canadian Armed Forces cyber operations program, send an email to cyberincontext@gmail.com
Canadian Cyber Defence 2025 Election Guide
Canada is heading to an election this year, and unless there is a major societal change in the next few months, the Government of Canada will change. Cyber defence is never an election priority, but this does not mean it isn’t an important issue; we should understand where each party stands on it. This will be a rare election where national defence is likely to be an election issue, and it will be important that coverage of how each party will improve Canadian cyber defence is provided.
Before this year’s election, a guide to each party’s positions and history on cyber defence policy will be published on Canadian Cyber in Context.
Paid subscribers will receive exclusive content, both substantive and memes.
Canadian Program for Cybersecurity Certification (CPCSC)
The CPCSC will be starting its phased introduction towards the end of this year and will have a major impact on Canada’s defence industry and how it engages with Canadian and US procurement. Coverage of the CPCSC thus far has been inconsistent and often filled with inaccuracies. I aim to help provide a more consistent source of updates and information about the CPCSC as it enters into force.
Content and Subscribership
In 2025, Canadian Cyber in Context will begin accepting paid subscribers, who will receive existing free and new exclusive content. As Canadian Cyber in Context has expanded, so has our readership and those who wish to support this work financially. Paid subscriptions have been low due to a continued commitment to open-access research, which will not change. Paid subscribers will receive content in addition to free articles posted every month and greater access.
What content and access this will include is subject to change, but as of right now, this includes:
Ongoing Free Content
At least one substantive article a month.
Access to the CAF Cyber History Project timeline and updates.
Archive of Canadian Cyber in Context articles.
Paid Subscriber-only Content
Subscribers will soon be able to pay for additional content to ensure Canadian Cyber in Context's expansion and long-term sustainability.
New paid content will include:
Exclusive Canadian Cyber in Context insider chat with other paid subscribers where news, events, or recent articles can be discussed.
Access to a curated archive of government documents obtained through ATIP or OSINT — The previously open ATIP archive will be moved behind this paywall.
There will be supplemental content exclusively for paid subscribers on an ad hoc basis.
For the Canadian election likely to occur this year, I will create memes and humorous content, including “Canadian political party leaders ranked by the likelihood of falling for a phishing attack.”
Sponsors & Sponsorship
Canadian Cyber in Context will now be accepting sponsors. Sponsors will be featured in all monthly posts and on our Sponsors page.
Only sponsorships from organizations that positively contribute to Canadian cyber defence will be accepted.
If you are interested in sponsoring Canadian Cyber in Context and want a press/digital media kit, email cyberincontext@gmail.cσm
Did you know you can hire Canadian Cyber in Context?
Canadian Cyber in Context is committed to remaining an open research publication but is also committed to making a positive impact on Canadian defence by providing specialized research, analysis and thought leadership on topics related to Canadian cyber defence. If you want to explore areas of collaboration or to hire Canadian Cyber in Context, send an email to cyberincontext@gmail.cσm.
Excited to see what comes next.