Direction on WeChat and Kaspersky products
From: Chief Information Officer of the Government of Canada
To: Deputy Heads and Departmental Chief Information Officers
Subject: Announcement – Continuing to Keep Government of Canada Mobile Devices Secure
Message:
Colleagues,
The Office of the Chief Information Officer of Canada reviews, on an ongoing basis, the ways in which Government of Canada devices are used, to ensure that networks and data remain secure and protected.
I am writing to you today to inform you that, pursuant to my responsibilities under section 4.4.1.9 of the Policy on Service and Digital, I am directing that the use of WeChat and the Kaspersky suite of applications be blocked on Government of Canada devices as of 5 p.m. EST on October 30, 2023.
This decision impacts all organizations subject to the Policy on Service and Digital. Effective on this date, Shared Services Canada (SSC) will take the necessary measures to block the applications on government devices for all organizations supported by SSC.
Organizations not supported by SSC services but subject to the Policy on Service and Digital are required to implement the remediation measures and report back to OCIOPortfolios-PortefeuillesBDPI@tbs-sct.gc.ca by November 6, 2023.
Additionally, my office is working with SSC on a more rigorous approach to managing work-issued mobile devices across Government. Mobile devices, like all government devices, are issued for work purposes. Setting expectations on acceptable use is a key deputy head responsibility under the Policy on Service and Digital, and I intend to issue revised guidance on what should be considered acceptable considering increasing numbers of mobile devices being issued and the need to manage public expenditures. Deputy heads can expect guidance on mobile applications for entertainment and gaming by the end of 2023, and on social media by the end of March 2024. My office will follow up with further information on this initiative as it advances.
Thank you for your prompt action to ensure that this direction is implemented within your organization without delay.
Catherine Luelo (She / Her / Elle)
Deputy Minister and Chief Information Officer of Canada
Government of Canada
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