Cyber Centre launches new initiative to help Canada’s critical infrastructure prepare for severe cyber threats

From: canada.ca/en/communicat…

News release

Ottawa, Ontario – April 17, 2026

Today, the Canadian Centre for Cyber Security (the Cyber Centre) launched the Critical Infrastructure Resilience and Escalated Threat Navigation (CIREN) initiative. CIREN helps critical infrastructure (CI) organizations understand, prepare for and practice responding to severe cyber incidents. Its purpose is to help organizations maintain essential services during worst-case scenarios, including widespread and prolonged cyber disruptions.

Canada’s critical infrastructure – including energy, telecommunications, transportation and water – faces a growing range of cyber threats. State-sponsored actors may seek to disrupt or damage these systems as part of broader geopolitical tensions. Non-state actor threats may also pursue cybercrime activities for financial gain. At the same time, rapid advancements in artificial intelligence (AI) are being leveraged to scale attacks and exploit vulnerabilities more quickly.

While the motivations and threats might differ, the potential impacts are similar. Severe cyber incidents can disrupt essential services and undermine public safety, economic stability and national sovereignty.

CIREN outlines three key actions organizations can take to strengthen their cyber readiness and resilience:

• Prepare to isolate critical systems for up to three months

• Develop and test response plans to operate independently

• Plan for rebuilding systems after severe cyber incidents

Taken together, these actions help organizations prepare in advance to protect essential services and support Canada’s safety and sovereignty.

Quotes

“Cyber threats to critical infrastructure are evolving and complex – but preparing for them doesn’t need to be. The time to act is now. Simple steps, such as isolating systems and planning to operate independently, can make a real‑world difference. With the launch of CIREN, the Cyber Centre is helping organizations prepare for an increasingly challenging cyber threat landscape.”

— Rajiv Gupta, Head, Canadian Centre for Cyber Security

Quick facts

• Cyber incidents are becoming more frequent, disruptive and sophisticated, affecting critical infrastructure and organizations across Canada.

• The use of AI and automation is increasing the speed and reach of malicious activity, while geopolitical instability continues to elevate the risk of state‑driven cyber operations.

• Disruptions to Canada’s CI can cause service outages, economic losses, and risks to public health and safety. In severe cases, they could result in the loss of life.

• CIREN is part of the Cyber Centre’s broader suite of advice and guidance supporting cyber readiness for critical infrastructure organizations.

• The Cyber Centre works closely with critical infrastructure partners to help protect their networks and systems from cyber threats through:

  • ongoing engagement with critical infrastructure owners and operators, including regular briefings and collaborative forums

  • threat bulletins and briefings to assess cyber risks

  • indicators of compromise (IOCs) to help detect intrusions

  • advisories (routine warnings), alerts (urgent warnings), and cyber flashes (urgent and sensitive warnings)

  • pre-ransomware notifications (more than 300 issued in 2024 alone)

  • cyber security best practices, including the Top 10 IT security action items, the Top 10 AI security actions, and the cross-sector Cyber Security Readiness Goals (CRGs)

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