Cybersecurity and Resilience

SFU DELIVERS INSIGHT AND INNOVATION TO SECURE THE CYBER DOMAIN

The threats to Canada’s cybersecurity range from state actors to criminal enterprises, and from networks of hacktivists to individuals. Driven by shifting agendas and armed with digital attacks, they are targeting data, networks and infrastructure—not to mention people—throughout Canada. Defending the digital front requires cyber capabilities even more innovative and dynamic than the threats they confront.

Simon Fraser University is working with our partners to dramatically increase our nation’s security capabilities. We are helping to ensure Canada’s defence forces have every advantage in identifying, targeting and responding to those threats to protect Canadians and our critical infrastructure from our adversaries. We are equipping the next generation of cybersecurity professionals with the skills and expertise they will need to meet and beat the threats of the future.

SFU STRENGTHS

• Putting big data to work against cybercriminals. SFU professor of criminology Richard Frank led a massive analysis of over one million posts in forums used by Russian-speaking hackers. By analyzing keywords in the context of their message, the project has been able to map money laundering schemes the criminals use with the funds from their hacks—a potential first step in recovering criminal proceeds and disrupting the operations of hacker groups.
• Spotting anomalies that may signal intrusions: SFU professor of computing science Uwe Glässer is harnessing the power of big data, intelligent systems and machine learning to recognize anomalies, detect intrusions and alert security teams to deploy countermeasures. This anomaly detection framework empowers marine authorities and security personnel to enhance their surveillance operations, helping protect Canada’s ports and infrastructure against smuggling, human trafficking, piracy and terrorism.
• Securing information beyond the reach of hackers: Canada Research Chair in Quantum Nanoelectronics and SFU professor of physics Stephanie Simmons leads SFU’s Silicon Quantum Technology Lab. Her work looks at cracking an opponent’s encryption using sheer computing power and using quantum entanglement in an encryption technique that cannot be broken—no matter how powerful an adversary’s computer.
• Turning back the tide of fake news and disinformation: Fake news is a key component of hybrid warfare, geared at increasing voter misperception and destabilizing our system of government. Maite Taboada, SFU professor of linguistics, is using big data approaches to develop software that identifies and categorizes fake news and disinformation. It could soon allow for the early detection of disinformation so its spread can be halted at its source.
• Training a new generation of cybersecurity professionals: SFU’s Cohort Special Arrangement Terrorism, Risk and Security Studies Professional Master’s Program is an interdisciplinary program that draws on SFU’s strengths in terrorism studies, computation and big data. SFU’s Professional Master of Science in Computer Science, Cybersecurity Concentration will address the growing need for cybersecurity professionals. Our graduates gain a solid grounding in theory and research as well as the practical, up-to-the-moment skills they need to hit the ground running.

Partner With SFU

A changing, more dangerous world calls for creative, innovative thinking to ensure Canada’s defences can call on comprehensive information whenever it is needed. SFU has the interdisciplinary expertise and depth of knowledge that can turn that information into insight—and a decisive advantage for mission success.

Partner with SFU to support a strong, secure and engaged Canada.