Canadian businesses across telecom, banking, transportation and energy sectors are about to face new, mandatory cybersecurity rules.
Mandatory Cybersecurity Programs and Incident Reporting
- All “critical” industries must implement formal cybersecurity programs.
- You’ll be required to report significant breaches or incidents to the Canadian Centre for Cyber Security.
- New government powers let regulators audit your security posture and issue binding orders.
Enforceable Ban on Huawei and ZTE Equipment
- The bill amends the Telecommunications Act to enforce Ottawa’s ban on Chinese-owned Huawei and ZTE gear.
- Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada can compel telecoms to remove banned equipment and levy up to $10 million in penalties for non-compliance.
- As of December 2024, only Telus still uses Huawei in its 5G network—and both Telus and Bell run Huawei hardware on their 4G systems.
What Prompted the Push?
- A joint cyber-threat bulletin from Canada’s Cyber Security Centre and the U.S. FBI warned that the PRC-linked “Salt Typhoon” hacking group likely compromised a Canadian telecom earlier this year.
- Experts call the legislation “long overdue,” highlighting that critical-infrastructure cyberattacks are as much a national-security issue as land, sea and air threats.
Key Dates and Next Steps
- Bill C-8 sailed through its early readings in a shortened parliamentary session—expect royal assent before the summer break.
- Once law, deadlines for removing prohibited equipment will be firmly in place (originally June 2024 for 5G gear and December 2027 for 4G).
- Even if you’re outside telecom, take note: the spirit of this legislation will trickle down into supply-chain requirements across all critical sectors.
Action Items for Canadian Businesses
- Audit Your Infrastructure – Map out where and how you rely on third-party hardware or cloud services.
- Strengthen Incident-Response Plans – Update reporting protocols to align with federal requirements.
- Engage Legal & Compliance – Review contracts and supplier-management clauses for enforceability under the new law.
- Invest in Training – Ensure your IT and risk teams understand new powers granted to regulators.
- Stay Informed – Subscribe to CSE bulletins and industry-association updates for evolving guidance.
Protecting digital supply chains is no longer optional—it’s a competitive advantage and a matter of national resilience. By treating Bill C-8 as a catalyst for stronger security, you’ll not only comply with the law but also gain trust with partners, customers and regulators.
Original article courtesy of TheGlobeAndMail.com
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