Canadian Cyber Incident Response Centre (CCIRC) Partners

CCIRC partners include government, public and private sector organizations, security researchers and the national cyber security incident response teams (CSIRTs) in other countries. Those partnerships enable the information sharing that is critical to preventing, preparing for, responding to, and recovering from cyber incidents. CCIRC provides the Canadian community with relevant and timely information on cyber security issues. CCIRC is both a contributor and recipient of the collective efforts of the global CSIRT community.

Federal Government

Incident coordination in the Federal Government is shared between the Information Protection Centre at Shared Services Canada and the Cyber Threat Evaluation Centre at the Communications Security Establishment Canada. CCIRC works with these partners in real time to ensure information about threats and vulnerabilities is communicated to those who need mitigation advice as quickly as possible.

Provinces, Territories, and Municipalities

The provinces and territories in Canada are responsible for a range of important services that rely on cyber systems, and maintain digital information that if compromised could jeopardize the privacy of individuals and the competitiveness of businesses. Many municipalities oversee the operations of the critical systems that support essential services such as drinking water and wastewater management and even traffic signals. CCIRC is mandated to work with all levels of government to help them enhance their cyber security.

Canada's Critical Infrastructure

Canada's critical infrastructure includes systems essential to industry, society, and government, such as those that enable the delivery of electricity, petroleum production, water, and transportation. CCIRC works with critical infrastructure organizations, currently focusing its efforts on the energy and utilities, finance, information and communication technology, and government sectors.

Academia

Many academic institutions, such as universities, operate large networks that contain sensitive research and personal information. CCIRC products and services help these institutions enhance their cyber security.

Cyber Security Incident Response Teams

CCIRC works closely with its international counterparts to help mitigate cyber threats and to share information on best practices for protecting critical infrastructure.

United States: US-CERT
United Kingdom: CERT-UK
Australia: CERT Australia
New Zealand: CCIP

The Forum of Incident Response and Security Teams (FIRST) is a community forum that enables incident response teams to more effectively respond to security incidents by providing access to best practices, tools, and trusted communication with member teams. CCIRC has been a member of FIRST since 2003.

Along with several of its international partners, Canada is a member of the International Watch and Warning Network (IWWN), an international forum that detects emerging cyber attacks and strengthens the efficiency of response to cyber security incidents.

Internet Service Providers

CCIRC works closely with internet service providers and exchanges information to facilitate activities such as the removal of malicious software.

Cyber Security Expert Community

Cyber Security Companies

Many cyber security companies have significant expertise and resources at their disposal for conducting analysis of malicious software. CCIRC shares technical information on malicious software with security companies to help identify threats and develop effective countermeasures.

Online Groups and Services

There are number of online groups and services that work to make cyberspace safer. CCIRC leverages these groups and services to help identify malicious activity, to raise awareness of the presence of compromised systems, and to analyze and identify malicious content.

Information Technology Companies

CCIRC works closely with leading information technology companies to mitigate vulnerabilities and threats reported to it about their products. The Government of Canada has agreements in place with some of these companies that enable information exchange on the security of information systems and networks.

Security Researchers

CCIRC works with security researchers and security and technology companies to ensure the disclosure of vulnerabilities is done in a responsible manner.