Strengthening Cyber Security to Protect Canada’s Natural Gas Distribution Systems 

From: Natural Resources Canada

News release

August 6, 2021                                    Ottawa, Ontario                                     Natural Resources Canada                   

Cyber security is integral to safeguarding Canada’s citizens, information, economy and infrastructure. The need has never been greater as threats evolve and threaten to disrupt our daily lives.

The Honourable Seamus O’Regan Jr., Minister of Natural Resources, today announced a $104,000 investment in the Canadian Gas Association (CGA) to strengthen the cyber security of Canada’s natural gas delivery systems among its members.

The Blue Flame Program will establish a system that will facilitate technical information sharing in near real-time between the Communications Security Establishment’s Canadian Centre for Cyber Security (Cyber Centre) and natural gas distribution companies. This two-way sharing system will increase the Cyber Centre’s view of the Canadian threat landscape, while providing guidance to participating member companies that will help reduce cyber vulnerabilities through more timely action and response to threats.

The cooperative project, which recently completed its pilot phase, is supported by Natural Resources Canada with contributions from CGA and its members, including Enbridge, SaskEnergy, Pacific Northern Gas and FortisBC. With the pilot project complete, CGA will work with its partners to build a sustainable Blue Flame Program that will provide the opportunity for additional participants to reap the benefits the early adopters have begun to see.

Federal funding for this project is provided by Natural Resources Canada’s Cyber Security and Critical Energy Infrastructure Program, which received $2.42 million in Budget 2018 to enhance the cyber security and resilience of domestic and cross-border energy infrastructure under Canada’s National Cyber Security Strategy.

As our society becomes increasingly digital, the Government of Canada must continue to assess emerging cyber security threats in order to keep Canada’s critical energy infrastructure safe. That’s why we are making cyber security a priority, through roughly $1 billion invested in cyber security since 2018 and by playing an active role in strengthening Canada’s cyber security. 

Quotes

“We’re investing in cutting-edge technologies to protect Canada’s energy sector from cyber threats and keep our critical infrastructure secure.”

The Honourable Seamus O’Regan Jr.
Minister of Natural Resources 

“Cyber security is a priority for Canada’s natural gas delivery industry and is a key component of the industry’s collective commitment to safety. The Canadian Gas Association and its members are pleased to be supported by Natural Resources Canada to develop the Blue Flame Program in partnership with the Canadian Centre for Cyber Security. This program with the Cyber Centre will enhance the resilience and security of our energy systems and ensure Canadians continue to have access to the safe and reliable energy they depend on in their daily lives.”

Timothy M. Egan
President and CEO, Canadian Gas Association 

“The Canadian Centre for Cyber Security has a unique understanding of the Canadian cyber threat landscape. By partnering with CGA, we are able to share our expertise to strengthen the security of gas delivery systems across Canada and ensure Canadians can depend on the critical infrastructure they need in their daily lives.”

Scott Jones
Head, Canadian Centre for Cyber Security 

Quick facts

  • Cyber security is an ever-increasing concern for Canadians and businesses as the energy sector continues to be a key target for cyber threats. 

  • Canada’s National Cyber Security Strategy (2018) brought a vision for security and prosperity in the digital age. It provided a new strategic direction for cyber security in Canada through raising the resiliency and security of Canadian systems, spanning both public and private IT infrastructure, introducing more innovative and adaptive capabilities and enhancing effective leadership, governance and collaboration. 

  • The CGA is the national organization representing Canada’s natural gas delivery industry. Currently, natural gas meets 35 percent of the country’s energy needs through a network of over 566,000 kilometres of underground infrastructure. Over 7.2 million customer locations representing approximately two-thirds of Canadians rely on natural gas for clean, affordable and reliable heating, power and transportation.

  • Cyber security is a priority for all natural gas industry companies and is part of the industry’s commitment to safety and resiliency. CGA’s members employ strong security programs to protect their systems and work closely with government partners like Natural Resources Canada and the Canadian Centre for Cyber Security to share information and best practices.

Associated links

Contacts

Media Relations
Natural Resources Canada
Ottawa
343-292-6100
NRCan.media.RNCan@canada.ca

        

Ian Cameron
Acting Director of Communications 
Office of the Minister of Natural Resources
613-447-3488
Ian.Cameron@canada.ca

     
Follow us on Twitter: @NRCan (http://twitter.com/nrcan)

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