Security and Resilience

SFU DELIVERS OPERATIONAL ADVANTAGES AND ACTIONABLE INTELLIGENCE THROUGH DATA

The threat of terrorism continues to cross national borders. Cyber-attacks targeting critical infrastructure are increasing on a global scale. States and non-state actors are using hybrid strategies to influence events through disinformation and deniability. In today’s global security environment, collaboration is key to building resilience across Canada—and Simon Fraser University (SFU) works to enhance security through innovative partnerships.

As Canada’s engaged university, SFU is defined by its dynamic integration of innovative education, cutting-edge research and far-reaching community engagement. SFU partners with industry and government to help Canada anticipate and adapt to evolving threats, protect citizens at home and abroad, and increase resilience among the public and private sectors.

SFU Strengths

• Mapping cyber targets: By identifying and geolocating Canadian IP addresses posted to hacker forums, SFU’s International Cybercrime Research Centre (ICCRC) can detect potential targets of cyber-attacks in Canada. Exposing heightened hacker interest in Canadian targets helps to identify potential at-risk systems, including those in government agencies and industry, particularly aviation and shipping firms.
• Enhancing maritime security: Maritime security is critical in protecting our ports and infrastructure against smuggling, human trafficking, piracy and terrorism. SFU’s Software Technology Lab partnered with MDA to create an anomaly detection framework that identifies suspicious activities and patterns. Through this work, marine authorities and security personnel can enhance their surveillance operations.
• Developing leading talent: SFU’s Terrorism, Risk and Security Studies Professional Master’s Program (TRSS) is a unique, interdisciplinary program delivered entirely online. TRSS leverages SFU’s strengths in terrorism studies, human intelligence, computation and big data, risk assessment, decision analysis and public policy to empower students to holistically address Canada’s national security challenges and grow their leadership in the field.
• Improving space-based surveillance: SFU recently partnered with the Canadian Space Agency and MDA to develop next-generation technologies that further expand Canada’s leadership in synthetic-aperture radar (SAR). New, space-based SAR provides reliable, frequent and broad-area surveillance for defence and national security, including tracking ships approaching Canada and monitoring critical infrastructure such as pipelines.
• Creating industrial and research benefits: A $1.25M investment from the Boeing Co., accompanied by a $500,000 contribution from Western Economic Diversification Canada, helped create SFU’s Vancouver Institute for Visual Analytics (VIVA). Boeing’s investment in VIVA, as part of Canada’s Industrial and Regional Benefits Policy, enabled improvements in aerospace, safety and security, health and business analytics through visual analytics.

Partner with SFU

To keep pace and adapt to changing circumstances, Canada must leverage the expertise and advanced capabilities of companies, the public sector and universities. SFU brings these diverse partners together to unlock the power of data for collaborative research and development, training and engagement near and far.

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