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Working with our membership, ITAC establishes and sets targets for where Canada's knowledge economy should be compared to key peer/competitor nations. Where we fall short, ITAC determines what we need to do to get there and ensure we do what is needed in areas such as: skills, capital, tax, science & technology, and collaboration.
ITAC believes Canadian businesses should be leaders in the use of ICT for competitive advantage, productivity and growth. Use of ICT by small and medium enterprises should increase towards that of our US counterparts. By partnering with other associations, as well as with Government, we work to ensure public policy supports these goals.
ITAC strives to ensure Federal, Ontario and other Canadian Governments are leaders in ICT use. ITAC positions itself as a trusted advisor to Government. We gather industry leaders and Government together and work to make it easier for our industry to sell to government.
ITAC believes the Canadian healthcare system should be a world-leading user of ICT to achieve superior patient outcomes and cost-effectiveness, as well as fostering development of a world-leading Canadian health ICT industry. ITAC works to correct chronic under-spend on ICT.
ITAC’s view is Canada’s laws should promote leadership in development and use of advanced technology. We want to ensure efficient and cost-effective measures to protect privacy and instill confidence in the e-economy.
ITAC believes that in order for Canada to continue to compete worldwide, we need to promote policies that will ensure a steady supply of talented men and women for our local ICT industry. We work with industry as well as with Federal, Provincial and local governments to establish initiatives to support this goal.
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Government of Canada launches national Cyber Security Strategy
Posted October 7, 2010
Minister of Public Safety, the Honourable Vic Toews, and Minister of Natural Resources, the Honourable Christian Paradis, have officially launched the national Cyber Security Strategy for Canada. The strategy was mentioned in the 2010 Speech from the Throne as an important Government priority. It will enhance protection from cyber threats for Canadian citizens, industries and governments from coast to coast to coast. ITAC is pleased to have been asked to participate in the announcement on Sunday, October 3, 2010, and demonstrate full industry support of the strategy.
“We know the Government has been active in addressing the security of its own systems, in partnering with the private sector, including our members as well as other governments, and in bringing forth legislative measures on subjects such as ID theft and child abuse on the internet,” said Bernard Courtois, President and CEO of ITAC. “But it is important to have a strategy to coalesce the efforts of all concerned, and to reach out to Canadian businesses and citizens.”
ITAC supports the idea that it is important for the government to invest in this priority. As the strategy document says:
“Every year, we detect more attackers than the year before. And every year, those seeking to infiltrate, exploit or attack our cyber systems are more sophisticated and better resourced than the year before. They are investing in their capabilities. We must respond by investing more in ours.”
The strategy will invest in securing Government of Canada systems, as well as partnering with other governments and with industry to ensure systems vital to Canadian security, economic prosperity and quality of life are protected. It also includes boosting education and awareness to better help Canadians keep their personal information safe and secure when online.
“I commend the government of Canada on the drafting of this strategy,” said John Weigelt, National Technology Officer with Microsoft Canada. “A key part of the ongoing activities underway to safeguard Canada’s cyberspace, this strategy will help keep internet users safer and supports Canada’s vision of creating a world leading digital economy. This strategy provides a meaningful foundation for the government to build out the assurance of their networks, for industry to deepen their engagement through broader security information sharing, as well as reinforces the education and awareness efforts that help Canadians remain safe while online.”
The Honourable Rona Ambrose, Minister of Public Works and Government Services, also announced that the federal government will invest $3.5 million in a round-the-clock government Information Protection Centre, designed to combat hackers and cyber attacks of all types. This investment is included in Budget 2010, which allocated $90 million over five years, and $18 million in ongoing funding, towards the Cyber Security Strategy.
The Cyber Security Strategy complements much of the work being done in other areas of the Canada’s Digital Economy Strategy, such as anti-spam legislation and amendments to the Criminal Code to create new offences related to obtaining, possessing and trafficking in identity documents or identity information.
To access Canada’s Cyber Security Strategy in full, visit: www.publicsafety.gc.ca/prg/em/cbr/ccss-scc-eng.aspx.
For more information on how to protect yourself online, visit: www.publicsafety.gc.ca/cyber.
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