(S35) (INNO) A Dual-Use Approach to Protecting Critical Infrastructure Assets

Defence and civilian critical infrastructure assets, despite their seemingly disparate domains, share a striking resemblance in their fundamental operational reliance on networked systems of sensors, actuators, and effectors. This interconnectedness forms the backbone of both military capabilities and essential civilian services.

Similarly, they both represent high-value targets for adversaries due to their strategic importance. The compromise of either type of asset can lead to catastrophic outcomes, ranging from widespread societal disruption and economic collapse to loss of life and significant national security implications.

Both sectors are increasingly recognizing the value of shared security principles and solutions, and regulatory and advisory bodies are taking notice, leading to the development of new and updated guidance and regulations that often apply to both domains.

Canada has long established itself as a pioneer and innovator in artificial intelligence, cyber resilience, defence systems integration, and quantum technologies. With recent Government focus on expanding core military capabilities, reindustrialization, and infrastructure building, there is a generational opportunity for innovators in both sectors to build the technologies of tomorrow: safe, secure, and reliable, by design and default.

This session will explore how Metropolitan Technologies, a Canadian startup, is bridging both sectors by building connectivity and cybersecurity solutions specifically designed for operational technologies. Whether it is the use of formal methods, zero trust architectures, quantum-safety, or data-centric security, this session will discuss how these technologies - and others - can be used to defend against existing and emerging threats to both defence and civilian assets to ensure our essential services continue to operate.