Persons Permanently Bound to Secrecy – To Protect National Security
January 27, 2025 - Defence Stories
Video / January 27, 2025
Transcript
Persons Permanently Bound to Secrecy (PPBS)
to Protect National Security
DND/CAF units, sections or elements, and individuals (both current and former), are now being designated as (PPBS).
What is a PPBS?
It is a designation given to those who have access to information which is vital to national security. If you’re a PPBS, there are more severe penalties for unauthorized disclosure of Special Operational Information (SOI).
PPBS is lifelong
There are two new offenses related to the unauthorized disclosure of SOI:
- Offence 1: Up to 5 years less a day in prison
- Offence 2: Up to 14 years in prison
How do you Become Designated?
The designation process operates through two key methods:
- Unit-Based: All individuals in identified units are automatically designated. Or
- Individual-Based: You work with SOI or are deemed to be integral to national security. Your chain of command must nominate you.
The final approval comes from the Deputy Minister for DND employees and contractors and from the Chief of the Defence Staff for CAF members.
Do you have authorized access to Sensitive Compartmented Information? You’re automatically designated PPBS status.
What happens next?
Individuals will receive a Notice of Designation and other documents from their chain of command and will be able to ask questions as part of the process.
More information is available on the National Defence Security Orders and Directives Chapter 4, Standard 4e.
Security Never takes a break. VIGILANCE!
Infographic – Text version
Persons Permanently Bound to Secrecy (PPBS)
to protect national security
Updates to the Foreign Interference & Security of Information Act
What is a PPBS?
It is a designation given to those who have access to information which is vital to national security. If you’re a PPBS, there are more severe penalties for unauthorized disclosure of Special Operational Information (SOI).
PPBS is lifelong
There are two new offenses related to the unauthorized disclosure of SOI:
- Offence 1: Up to 5 years less a day in prison
- Offence 2: Up to 14 years in prison
DND/CAF units, sections or elements, and individuals (both current and former), are now being designated as PPBS.
How do you Become Designated?
- Unit-Based: All individuals in identified units are automatically designated.
- Individual-Based: You work with SOI or are deemed to be integral to national security. Your chain of command must nominate you.
Final approval comes from:- Deputy Minister for DND employees and contractors.
- Chief of the Defence Staff for CAF members.
- Sensitive Compartmented Information access: You're automatically designated PPBS status.
What happens next?
Individuals will receive a Notice of Designation and other documents from their Chain of Command and will be able to ask questions as part of the process.
Need more information?
National Defence Security Orders and Directives, Chapter 4, Standard 4E [PDF-391KB]
+DGDS-Policies@VCDS DGDS@Ottawa-Hull
A CANFORGEN WITH ADDITIONAL DETAILS TO BE PUBLISHED SHORTLY.
A CANFORGEN with additional details to be published shortly.
New designation for Canadian Forces personnel
The Government of Canada announced an important update to its security protocols, expanding the Persons Permanently Bound to Secrecy (PPBS) designation to include some DND/CAF units, sections or elements, and select positions (both current and former), with access to sensitive Special Operational Information (SOI)—vital for national defense and intelligence work. This move, which follows amendments passed in August 2024, aligns the DND/CAF with national security efforts by tightening controls on classified military information.
The PPBS designation process operates through two key methods:
- Unit-based: If a unit or organization routinely handles SOI, all members of that unit will be automatically bound to secrecy.
- Individual-based: Individuals with direct access to SOI, deemed to be integral to national security, may be recommended for PPBS designation by their chain of command. The designation is approved by the Deputy Minister for DND employees and Contractors, or the Chief of the Defence Staff for CAF members.
As part of this update, all individuals authorized to access Sensitive Compartmented Information (SCI) will also be designated PPBS in the coming months. This process will take time, as it impacts thousands of individuals across various levels within the military and defense agencies.
Once an individual is designated a PPBS it is for life. There are two new offences related to the unauthorized disclosure of SOI which carry severe criminal penalties, including imprisonment of up to five years less a day (offence 1) and up to 14 years (offence 2).
For more details, employees and personnel can refer to the National Defence Security Orders and Directives, their Chain of Command, or reach out to the relevant policy office for further clarification.
This updated security framework is a critical step in ensuring that Canada’s military operations and intelligence are protected against the growing global threats to national security.
For further insights on security topics, please visit the Security Awareness Toolkit (Accessible only on the National Defence network) available on the Director General Defence Security (DGDS) intranet page.
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