Canadian Armed Forces Announces New Cyber Command

The Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) has announced the creation of a new Cyber Command, known as CAFCYBERCOM. This new entity will consolidate the CAF's cyber capabilities into a single, unified command. The announcement was made by Minister of National Defence Bill Blair and Chief of the Defence Staff General Jennie Carignan on September 26, 2024.

CAFCYBERCOM will be led by Major-General Dave Yarker, who will oversee cyber operations, force sustainment, management, and development. The command aims to enhance the military's readiness to address cyber threats. The CAF will continue to work closely with the Communications Security Establishment Canada (CSE) to develop and scale both offensive and defensive cyber operations.

The establishment of CAFCYBERCOM aligns with Canada's commitments to NATO, including the Virtual Cyber Incident Support Capability and the Sovereign Cyber Effects Provided Voluntarily by Allies. The new command also aims to improve interoperability with key partners and allies in NORAD, the Five Eyes alliance, and NATO.

The CAF and CSE have a longstanding partnership in developing advanced technical and specialized capabilities to support military operations. This partnership has evolved over the last decade to include collaboration in cybersecurity and both defensive and offensive cyber operations.