Expectations high that federal budget will make big investments in cybersecurity
OTTAWA — Government and industry insiders have high expectations next week’s federal budget will contain big investments to help Canada reinforce its cybersecurity defences in an age of heightened global threats to businesses, privacy and democracy.
A senior government official says Tuesday’s budget is poised to dedicate funding for a multi-departmental effort to strengthen the country’s protections and response capabilities in the event of an attack.
The official, speaking on condition of anonymity about details not yet public, said Ottawa’s cyber-effort would touch multiple corners of the government. Sources say it’s expected to involve Economic Development, Public Safety, Democratic Institutions and National Defence, as well as Canada’s cyberspy agency.
Budgetary cyber-commitments would arrive at a time of intensifying fears over hacking threats on many fronts — from the privacy of citizens, to financial systems, to the democratic process.