Canada's cyber warfare capabilities

This paper discusses Canada and its ability to wage cyber warfare. Several definitions of cyber warfare are presented and discussed, as well as the motives and potential actors behind a cyber attack. Several definitions of cyberspace are also discussed in order to provide a context for the domain of cyber warfare. A case is then made for why anyone should care about cyber warfare. Cyber attacks are a threat to a nation's security. Cyberspace must be considered a fourth domain of war, with the other three domains being land, air, and sea. There are many dangers within cyberspace that can affect individuals, corporations, and nation-states. Canada's cyber warfare capabilities are then examined. Both offensive and defensive capabilities are considered, with the focus of much of the research being on defensive capabilities. Canada recently released a cyber security strategy which is discussed in detail. Furthermore, capabilities of several government organizations are examined. Finally, a comparative assessment of Canada's capabilities within cyberspace is given. Canada's capabilities are found to be less than adequate to defend against a cyber engagement by an enemy nation-state. However, it is likely that many nation-states would be unable to defend against such an engagement from a knowledgeable and timely attacker.