BDO Canada has announced the launch of its Defence Cyber Readiness Accelerator, a new advisory service designed to help businesses navigate the Canadian Program for Cyber Security Certification (CPCSC). This initiative aims to strengthen cyber readiness and meet new required cyber certification standards.
Overview of the Defence Cyber Readiness Accelerator
The CPCSC, a new federal cybersecurity framework for defence procurement, introduces baseline cybersecurity requirements for organizations handling sensitive but unclassified defence information. BDO Canada's Accelerator helps organizations assess readiness, identify compliance gaps, and build practical pathways toward certification and long-term procurement eligibility.
As part of BDO Canada's broader defence-sector offering spanning compliance, capability, and capital, the Accelerator is intended to strengthen supply chain trust and support wider participation in Canada's growing defence industry.
Cybersecurity as a Foundational Requirement
Rocco Galletto, Partner, Cybersecurity at BDO Canada, emphasized that cybersecurity is a foundational requirement for doing business in the defence sector. He noted that CPCSC is an important step in strengthening Canada's defence supply chain. As CPCSC requirements appear in defence contracts, suppliers and subcontractors will increasingly need to demonstrate cybersecurity readiness. Galletto stated, "For many organizations, this is an opportunity to build the capabilities needed to participate and compete in a growing market. We're here to help businesses navigate these requirements with confidence and turn cybersecurity readiness into a real competitive advantage."
A Narrowing Window for Canadian Suppliers
As the federal government integrates CPCSC requirements into upcoming defence procurement opportunities, organizations across the supply chain face increasing pressure to prepare. Companies unable to demonstrate appropriate cybersecurity readiness may risk losing access to future contract opportunities and could face challenges maintaining eligibility for existing defence-related work.
Mike Abbott, Partner, Technology & Regulatory Advisory at BDO Canada, highlighted the urgency: "With over $81 billion in additional federal defence spending expected over the next five years, most Canadian companies looking at the defence opportunity don't just have a cybersecurity problem, they have a sequencing problem. They need to know what's required now, what can wait, and what becomes mandatory the moment they win their first contract. Our Defence Cyber Readiness Accelerator is built to give business leaders a clear, practical path through CPCSC so they can compete for defence work without overextending the business."
The Accelerator provides a structured approach to help businesses prioritize cybersecurity investments and align with certification requirements, ensuring they can participate in Canada's expanding defence market.
