Vanguard Magazine

F E AT U R E www.vanguardcanada.com AUGUST/SEPTEMBER 2025 17 gy by protecting critical military infrastruc- ture, conducting full-spectrum cyber op- erations, and promoting responsible state behaviour and a rules-based international order in cyberspace. Strengthening Partnerships Having all these functions under one roof makes it easier to work with others. CAF- CYBERCOM collaborates closely with the Communications Security Establishment (CSE) and allied partners in NATO, North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD), and the Five Eyes to deliver coordinated cyber defence. It integrates cyber capabilities into multi-domain oper- ations and participates in multinational ex- ercises such as NATO's Exercise LOCKED SHIELDS 2025, where Canadian teams worked alongside 41 nations, and Opera- tion REASSURANCE, where it supports Latvia's cyber infrastructure through threat hunting and network monitoring. It also aligns with allies making similar investments, enabling deeper engagement in regions such as the Indo-Pacific—for example, during Major-General Yarker's recent visit to the Philippines to advance bilateral cyber cooperation. Distinct Role, Unified Capabilities It is important to note that CAFCYBER- COM is distinct from CSE, which protects Government of Canada networks and col- lects foreign intelligence. CAFCYBER- COM is a military operational command that defends CAF networks and delivers cyber effects in support of military mis- sions. By consolidating all cyber-related capabilities within the CAF, CAFCYBER- COM improves coordination, planning, and execution while reducing duplication and streamlining decision-making. By integrating Joint Electronic Warfare, Signals Intelligence, and Cyber Operations under one command, CAFCYBERCOM optimizes resources and synchronizes ef- forts across military domains. This cen- tralization strengthens interoperability with national and international partners through intelligence sharing, joint train- ing, and multinational exercises. It also enables a strong focus on work- force development, ensuring the com- mand maintains a skilled and adaptive team. "Our people are the backbone of CAFCYBERCOM's success. Continuous training and dedication keep our cyber op- erators ready to face evolving threats and secure Canada's military networks," says CWO Holub. These efficiencies strengthen situational awareness, accelerate threat detection, and improve incident response—enhancing the defence of CAF networks and support- ing Canada's strategic defence objectives. "Our operators have made a real impact defending networks and building part- nerships across regions. We will continue developing our skills and pushing innova- tion to meet evolving mission demands," adds CWO Holub. Protecting privacy is also essential in a free and democratic society. CAFCY- BERCOM recognizes its responsibility to uphold the privacy rights of Canadians in accordance with the Privacy Act and inte- grates privacy protection into every aspect of its operations. "We have removed silos and created a more agile, integrated force that delivers cyber effects faster and more efficiently. CAFCYBERCOM is a decisive step in defending Canada's interests in the cyber domain by unifying key cyber capabilities." — Major-General Dave Yarker, Commander, CAFCYBERCOM Lieutenant-Colonel Ben Lacey of CAF Cyber Command speaks at the opening of Exercise LOCKED SHIELDS 25 Major General Yarker receives a briefing on MASAKAI 25 Photos: DND

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