Thousands of Canadian researchers depend on the critical infrastructure of advanced research computing, research data management and research software functioning reliably. Cybersecurity events and threats can impact a researcher’s ability to introduce new theories, methods, ideas or products that are essential to propel creativity and advance research discoveries that benefit Canadian society.
The Alliance’s cybersecurity mandate is to protect the digital research infrastructure (DRI) ecosystem. We are accomplishing this by working with our partners to establish and implement a national vision that will enhance the cybersecurity framework, covering governance, policies, technology and operations.
To achieve our mandate, the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) Cybersecurity Framework (CSF) has been adopted to develop the Alliance Federation Cybersecurity Strategy and Roadmap.
As part of this roadmap, several activities have been identified in risk management, security training and awareness, monitoring and auditing, identity and access management, vulnerability management and others based on the needs of our ecosystem.
Approved Cybersecurity Policies, Standards and related documents that apply to the Alliance Federation can be found here.
Cybersecurity Awareness Month
October is Cybersecurity Awareness Month. This global campaign focuses on education and awareness of how to stay secure online. With cyberattacks becoming all too common, never has the topic of Cybersecurity been more pressing or relevant.
The Alliance participates in Cybersecurity Awareness Month with training and support for Canadian researchers on the latest cybersecurity practices. Our cybersecurity mandate is to protect the digital research infrastructure (DRI) ecosystem—we’re here to help safeguard you and your research from cyberthreats.
2024 Cybersecurity Awareness Month events
In collaboration with the National Training Coordination Council, we are pleased to offer a selection of à la carte events on this year’s theme: Cybersecurity is everyone’s responsibility.
You may attend as many events as you wish. We welcome all levels of cybersecurity knowledge. Topics range from basic cybersecurity hygiene to more specialized subjects. Learn more and sign up for the events by clicking on the registration links.
Week 1: Back to Basics
October 4, 1 p.m. ET – Securing File Access Permission on Linux
Presenter: Dr. Ramses van Zon (University of Toronto)
Week 2: Safeguarding Your Research
October 8, 1 p.m. ET – Basic Risk Assessment for Researchers + Data Classification
Presenters: Luc Letarte and Jessica Galo (University of British Columbia)
October 10, 1 p.m. ET – Planning for Cybersecurity - DMP Assistant
Presenter: Marcus Closen (Digital Research Alliance of Canada)
Week 3: Accessing Information
October 15, 2 p.m. ET – Cybersecurity Hygiene
Presenter: Scott Baker (University of British Columbia)
October 16, 1 p.m. – Cybersecurity within the Controlled Access Management for Research Data
Presenter: Victoria Smith (Digital Research Alliance of Canada)
October 17, 1 p.m. – Insider threats
Presenters: Catherine Di Vita and Benjamin Reid (Digital Research Alliance of Canada)
Week 4: Protecting Infrastructure
October 24, 1 p.m. – Zero Trust in HPC
Presenters: Tyson Macaulay (National Centre for Critical Infrastructure Protection, Security and Resilience) and Daksha Bhasker (Microsoft)
Week 5: Improving Software and Training
October 29, 1 p.m. – DRI-Wide Cybersecurity training panel
Facilitator: Catherine Di Vita (Digital Research Alliance of Canada)
Panelists: Ryan McRonald (University of Victoria), Julie Le Hegarat (University of British Columbia), Scott Baker (University of British Columbia), and Raphaelle Gauriau (University of Toronto)
October 30, 1 p.m. – Secure Software Development for Research Applications
Presenter: Felix-Antoine Fortin (Université Laval)
Explore content from our previous events (2023–present)
Recordings of events from previous years are available on the Alliance’s YouTube channel: Cybersecurity Awareness Month Playlist