National and Cyber Security Branch Overview

Branch Background

The National and Cyber Security Branch (NCSB) aims to ensure that Canada is prepared for, and can respond to, a range of national security and cyber security threats by:

As of March 2025, NCSB has a total of 196 full-time employees (FTEs) with a current salary budget of approximately $21.8 million and an Operations and Maintenance (O&M) budget of $3.5 million.

Key Files and Responsibilities

The Branch houses the Office of the National Counter-Foreign Interference Coordinator (ONCFIC) and comprises four Directorates: National Security Policy, National Cyber Security, National Security Operations and Critical Infrastructure.

Office of the National Counter-Foreign Interference Coordinator (NCFIC)

In 2023, the NCFIC position was created and staffed by an Associate Assistant Deputy Minister to coordinate efforts to combat foreign interference. The NCFIC provides leadership to advance a unified federal response to interference activities by foreign states and their proxies, and increases situational awareness and transparency through engagement with partners and communities. Since its creation, the ONCFIC, with the support of the Counter Foreign Interference Division within the National Security Operations Directorate, has played a central role in coordinating efforts to support the development of and implementation of Bill C-70, including multiple rounds of public engagement and consultation. The ONCFIC has also served as the PS lead supporting the Public Inquiry on Foreign Interference (PIFI) Commission.

National Security Policy Directorate

The National Security Policy Directorate supports the Minister in coordinating key national security policy issues. Key responsibilities include: counter-terrorism and violent extremism; the Passenger Protect Program and Passport Program; review of the National Security Act, 2017; Terrorist Financing; Economic and Research Security; support to senior national security policy committees and national security governance; Intelligence and Evidence; Lawful Access; the National Security Transparency Commitment and engaging with national security review bodies (NSIRA and NSICOP); CLOUD Act; information sharing for national security including the Security of Canada Information Disclosure Act and the Avoiding Complicity in Mistreatment by Foreign Entities Act; the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act (IRPA) Division 9/National security Inadmissibility Initiative; and the Five Country Ministerial. The Directorate also provides advice to the Deputy Minister and the Minister in support of their accountability for the Canadian Security Intelligence Service.

National Cyber Security Directorate

The National Cyber Security Directorate (NCSD), as Canada's cyber security policy lead, supports the Minister in coordinating the government's overall policy approach on cyber security. Key files include the new National Cyber Security Strategy,; legislation to protect federally regulated critical infrastructure from cyber threats (former Bill C-26, an Act respecting Cyber Security); as well as Ransomware; public attributions; implementation of the Cyber Diplomacy and Security component of Canada's Indo-Pacific Strategy; the execution of the Federal Cyber Incident Response Plan; and coordination of Canada's involvement in the Ottawa Five. NCSD also acts as the secretariat for the Assistant Deputy Ministers' Committees on Cyber Security on a yearly rotating basis with the Communications Security Establishment.

National Security Operations Directorate

The National Security Operations Directorate coordinates and leads activities to prevent individuals and entities who pose threats to national security from operating in Canada. Key files include Terrorist Listings, coordination and administration of the Criminal Code Authorization Regime, countering foreign interference, National Security Operations Incident Management, economic security operations, includingnational security reviews under the Investment Canada Act and the Retail Payment Activities Act, Economic-based National Security including the Sensitive Technology List, Canadian Extremist Travelers, and kidnappings.

Foreign Influence Transparency Commissioner's Office

The Foreign Influence Transparency Commissioner's Office (FITCO) is an independent body that will be housed within Public Safety, and will ultimately be responsible for ensuring transparency in arrangements between foreign principals and activities aimed at influencing political or government processes in Canada. The FITCO, through the Foreign Influence Transparency Registry (FITR), seeks to reduce foreign interference in Canada by enhancing transparency and accountability of foreign influence activities undertaken in Canada. Public Safety, is working on establishing the FITCO.

Critical Infrastructure Directorate

The Critical Infrastructure Directorate (CID) is responsible for supporting the Minister in leading national efforts to enhance the security and resilience of Canada's critical infrastructure (CI) against all threats and hazards. In this capacity, CID has the lead policy and coordination role and works in collaboration with federal departments and agencies, as well as other orders of government and the private sector (who own and operate the majority of Canada's CI), to develop and advance CI initiatives for the Government of Canada. Key files include: identifying Canada's most consequential CI; assessing the federal authorities for CI security; strengthening federal accountability for CI risk management; and engaging with partners to provide relevant guidance and information on CI.

Key Partners

Given the diversity and depth of the Branch, key partners can greatly vary. The Branch regularly works with the Portfolio entities, other government departments, the provinces and territories, academic and research community, and private and public sector critical infrastructure owners and operators. Key international partners are the Five Eyes alliance, NATO members, and the G7.

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