Top 5 Strategies for Canadian Cybersecurity Providers to Win Contracts with Public Safety Canada

1. Align with the Canadian Program for Cyber Security Certification (CPCSC)

Public Safety Canada requires suppliers to meet evolving cyber security standards through the phased CPCSC program. This three-tiered certification system will become mandatory for defense contracts:

• Level 1: Implement annual self-assessments using Canada’s new industrial cyber security standard (adapted from NIST 800-171/172) [https://www.canada.ca/en/public-services-procurement/services/industrial-security/security-requirements-contracting/cyber-security-certification-defence-suppliers-canada.html][https://www.canada.ca/en/public-services-procurement/news/2025/03/government-of-canada-announces-first-phase-of-canadian-program-for-cyber-security-certification.html]

• Level 2: Prepare for third-party assessments by Standards Council of Canada-accredited bodies starting March 2025 [https://govconexec.com/2025/03/canada-starts-defense-supply-chain-cybersecurity-effort/][https://www.canada.ca/en/public-services-procurement/news/2025/03/government-of-canada-announces-first-phase-of-canadian-program-for-cyber-security-certification.html]

• Level 3: Develop capabilities for National Defence-led security reviews (required for select contracts by 2027) [https://www.canada.ca/en/public-services-procurement/services/industrial-security/security-requirements-contracting/cyber-security-certification-defence-suppliers-canada.html][https://govconexec.com/2025/03/canada-starts-defense-supply-chain-cybersecurity-effort/]

Key Implementation Timeline

• Phase 2 (Fall 2025): Mandatory Level 1 self-certification for select contracts

• Phase 3 (Spring 2026): Level 2 certification requirements expand

• Phase 4 (2027): Level 3 assessments begin for high-sensitivity contracts

2. Obtain Required Security Clearances

All contractors must meet strict security protocols:

• Designated Organization Screening (DOS): Minimum requirement for bidding on TBIPS standing offers [https://www.tpsgc-pwgsc.gc.ca/app-acq/sptb-tbps/oc-so-eng.html]

• Facility Security Clearance (FSC): Required for handling protected information, valid for 5-10 years [https://securitymadesimple.org/cybersecurity-blog/what-is-a-security-clearance-and-how-do-you-qualify-us-and-canada/]

• Enhanced Clearances: Top Secret clearance requires CSIS assessment and polygraph exams for critical infrastructure projects [https://securitymadesimple.org/cybersecurity-blog/what-is-a-security-clearance-and-how-do-you-qualify-us-and-canada/]

3. Master the Security Requirements Checklist (SRCL)

Successful bids require comprehensive SRCL documentation demonstrating:

• Encryption standards meeting ITSP.50.105 data localization requirements [https://www.packetlabs.net/posts/want-to-sell-software-to-the-canadian-government-heres-what-you-need-to-know/]

• Incident response plans aligned with Cyber Centre’s Top 10 Security Actions [https://www.packetlabs.net/posts/want-to-sell-software-to-the-canadian-government-heres-what-you-need-to-know/][https://www.publicsafety.gc.ca/cnt/trnsprnc/brfng-mtrls/prlmntry-bndrs/20240614/19-en.aspx]

• Proof of compliance with Directive on Management of Procurement’s life-cycle cost assessments [https://www.packetlabs.net/posts/want-to-sell-software-to-the-canadian-government-heres-what-you-need-to-know/]

4. Leverage Standing Offer Mechanisms

Streamline contract wins through established procurement vehicles:

• TBIPS (Task-Based Informatics Professional Services): Primary vehicle for cyber professional services [https://www.tpsgc-pwgsc.gc.ca/app-acq/sptb-tbps/oc-so-eng.html]

• NMSO (National Master Standing Offer): For standardized product procurement through Shared Services Canada [https://www.sscitpro-spcapproti2.com/v/vspfiles/downloadables/Terms/E60EJ-11000C_EJ%20-%20NMSO%20-%20EN.pdf]

• Cyber Resilience Review (CCRR): Showcase capabilities through Public Safety Canada’s assessment program [https://www.publicsafety.gc.ca/cnt/trnsprnc/brfng-mtrls/prlmntry-bndrs/20240614/19-en.aspx]

5. Align with National Cyber Security Strategy Priorities

Recent updates to Canada’s cyber strategy emphasize:

• Cross-border critical infrastructure protection with US partners [https://www.canada.ca/en/public-safety-canada/news/2025/02/government-of-canada-introduces-new-national-cyber-security-strategy.html][https://www.publicsafety.gc.ca/cnt/trnsprnc/brfng-mtrls/trnstn-bndrs/20231123-2/06-en.aspx]

• Secure-by-design product development principles [https://procurementmag.com/articles/cybersecurity-strategies-for-procurement]

• Continuous vulnerability monitoring throughout device lifecycles [https://procurementmag.com/articles/cybersecurity-strategies-for-procurement][https://science.gc.ca/site/science/en/safeguarding-your-research/guidelines-and-tools-implement-research-security/integrating-security-considerations-procurement-research-goods-and-services]

Compliance Essentials

• Implement mandatory breach reporting per Bill C-26 requirements [https://www.americanbar.org/groups/business_law/resources/business-law-today/2022-july/canadian-bill-c-26-introduces-new-requirements/]

• Adopt Cyber Centre’s supply chain risk assessment framework [https://science.gc.ca/site/science/en/safeguarding-your-research/guidelines-and-tools-implement-research-security/integrating-security-considerations-procurement-research-goods-and-services]

• Integrate threat modeling into development pipelines [https://procurementmag.com/articles/cybersecurity-strategies-for-procurement]

Conclusion

Winning Public Safety Canada contracts requires technical alignment with evolving CPCSC standards, strategic use of standing offers, and deep integration with national security priorities. Providers should prioritize early certification preparation, invest in security clearance maintenance, and demonstrate proactive threat intelligence sharing capabilities. Those who align with Canada’s whole-of-society cyber defense approach will be best positioned for success in this $530M+ annual procurement market [https://www.consulting.ca/news/340/cgi-awarded-us530-million-cybersecurity-contract-with-us-government].