October 4, 2023

En-tête Aéro Montréal

Aéro Montréal's mission is to mobilize stakeholders in Quebec's aerospace ecosystem to support its global reach, innovation capacity and growth.

 

// MESSAGE FROM THE PRESIDENT

Dear members, dear partners,

Cybersecurity is now a major issue in our industry and its importance is growing. The figures speak for themselves: almost 70% of SMEs that suffer a cyber attack go bankrupt within two years if they are not prepared.

Based on this observation, we decided to launch the Cybersecurity Initiative in 2022.

With the backing of the Ministry of Economy, Innovation and Energy and Canada Economic Development for Québec Regions, we have given all cluster members the opportunity to benefit from invaluable support: awareness-raising events, support in drawing up contingency plans, and even circles to share best practices.

In the coming year, we expect to see increasing demand for expertise in these areas. For example, starting in 2024, cybersecurity certifications will be required of suppliers and supply chain players who wish to work with Canadian government agencies.

As a result, our team is deploying its energy to continue our support and facilitate the transition to these new standards. Our next cybersecurity project will span five components, targeting in particular the training of managers and the implementation of federal Bill C-26. We will also focus on the importance of testing systems with concrete simulations to identify vulnerabilities and provide legal support to protect intellectual property.

Cybersecurity is key to our future, and we will continue to be fully engaged with your organizations to sustain and grow the cluster.

MÉLANIE LUSSIER
President
AÉRO MONTRÉAL

 

YOU ARE THE CHAIR OF THE DEFENCE AND SECURITY WORKING GROUP. WHAT ARE THE MAIN OBJECTIVES OF THIS WORKING GROUP?

As Chair of Aéro Montréal’s Defence and Security Working Group, our main objectives are twofold: first, to strengthen the competitiveness and positioning of our members in Canadian and international markets. Second, it is crucial to facilitate strategic partnerships between companies, institutions and government to address the complex challenges facing our industry.

CYBERSECURITY HAS BEEN A CONCERN FOR AEROSPACE COMPANIES FOR MANY YEARS. WOULD YOU SAY IT SHOULD BE A TOP PRIORITY TODAY?

Cybersecurity is unquestionably a top priority for aerospace companies. The industry has become highly dependent on digital technologies and the systems we develop are often crucial to national security. A breach in cybersecurity can not only have financial consequences, but also put human lives and national security at risk.

ARE YOU WORRIED THAT 75% OF SMEs IN QUEBEC HAVE NOT YET IMPLEMENTED A RIGOROUS CYBERSECURITY PROCESS?

The fact that 75% of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in Quebec have yet to adopt a rigorous cybersecurity process is certainly a concern. SMEs are often easy targets for cybercriminals and their vulnerability can have an impact on the entire supply chain.

HOW DOES AÉRO MONTRÉAL SPECIFICALLY HELP ITS MEMBERS IMPROVE THEIR CYBERSECURITY TOOLS?

Aéro Montréal offers several programs and resources to its members. We offer awareness, training, coaching and certification assistance on cybersecurity best practices. We also facilitate the sharing of information and resources between our members to create a stronger, more resilient community.

CANADIAN LEGISLATION WILL FORCE COMPANIES TO COMPLY BY THE END OF 2024 OR THE BEGINNING OF 2025. HOW DOES CANADA COMPARE TO EUROPE AND THE UNITED STATES?

In terms of legislation, Canada is taking significant steps to bring itself up to date, but it still has some way to go compared to Europe and the United States. Europe is quite advanced with its General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) and the United States has robust mechanisms, such as the Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification (CMMC) requirement for defence-related companies. Canada must prioritize cybersecurity and accelerate its efforts to remain competitive.



+ TO LEARN MORE:

Contact Sylvain Lefrançois, Director, Defence and Security
sylvain.lefrancois@aeromontreal.ca

+ CYBERSECURITY PAGE

 

// INDUSTRY NEWS


CYBERSECURITY MATURITY MODEL CERTIFICATION (CMMC) | WINTER 2024

Does your company count the U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) among its customers, or does it act as a DoD subcontractor? The Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification (CMMC) will soon become mandatory for all DoD contractors, subcontractors and suppliers.

» CONTEXT:

Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification (CMMC) is a regulatory framework established by the U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) that defines three levels of cybersecurity maturity. All defence supply chain companies working with the DoD will eventually be required to obtain CMMC certification.

» CHALLENGES:

  1. COST: CMMC certification can be expensive. Companies have to pay for the assessment and for the safety improvements that follow. Recertification costs may also be high.
     
  2. RESOURCES: CMMC certification can be time-consuming and labour-intensive. Companies may need to hire or train people to manage certification.
     
  3. TECHNICAL COMPLEXITY: CMMC requirements can be technically complex, especially for companies or SMEs without strong cybersecurity expertise.
     
  4. LOSS OF BUSINESS OPPORTUNITIES: Without CMMC certification, a company may lose defence contracts with the U.S. government. This may affect business and revenues.
     
  5. ALIGNMENT WITH CANADIAN REGULATIONS: Canadian companies must comply with both CMMC and Canadian cybersecurity regulations. This may require more coordination.

Despite these challenges, CMMC certification can also bring benefits, helping companies strengthen their cybersecurity position and demonstrate their commitment to security for customers and partners.

NEED TO BE COMPLIANT BY 2024 BUT WOULD LIKE SUPPORT? 

Indicate your interest in participating in Aéro Montréal's upcoming webinar, on October 24, 2023, from 9:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.

+ INTEREST IN THE WEBINAR

+ QUESTIONS

 

IMPLEMENTATION OF THE CANADIAN PROGRAM FOR CYBERSECURITY CERTIFICATION (CPCSC) | WINTER 2024

The federal government’s Canadian Cybersecurity Certification Program (CPCSC) has announced a requirement for cybersecurity certification on certain defence contracts starting in winter 2024.

» CONTEXT:

- A growing threat where the Canadian government's domestic defence supply chain is the target of more frequent and sophisticated cyber malware.

- No compliance mechanism within the Canadian government to verify the security measures in place to protect contractual information below the Classified level.

- A desire to simplify cybersecurity for Canadian companies by agreeing with the U.S. Department of Defense (DOD) to have CPCSC recognized at the CMMC cybersecurity maturity model level.

» MAIN OBJECTIVES :

1. Ensure protection of unclassified federal government contract information held on defence contractor networks, systems and applications from cyber threats.

2. Maintain industry access to U.S. and internationally recognized national cybersecurity certifications, in order to bid on and win international contracts.

3. Cyber resilience: Increase the basic level of cybersecurity of Canadian industry, thereby strengthening Canada’s national security and economic interests, and securing supply chains..

4. Maintain the integrity of supplier systems for critical Canadian Forces capabilities and readiness.

5. Develop the Canadian cybersecurity industry through the creation of a national security certification tailored to Canada and favourable to SMEs and Indigenous public procurement.

YOU WILL BE AFFECTED BUT ARE NOT SURE WHERE TO START?

To find out how you can comply with these new requirements, indicate your interest in participating in the upcoming webinar on the subject, organized by Aéro Montréal in collaboration with the Government of Canada, on October 24 from 9:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.

+ INTEREST IN THE WEBINAR

+ QUESTIONS

 
InCyber
InCyber

INCYBER FORUM NORTH AMERICA | OCTOBER 25-26, 2023

Participate in the 2nd edition of this cybersecurity event which will take place at the Palais des congrès de Montréal During the first edition, more than 3,500 visitors and 110 partners were able to take part in 183 conferences and exchange on innovative ideas and emerging practices.

This year, political leaders, technical and operational specialists, regulatory experts, decision-makers as well as numerous companies, associations and research centers will gather again for this flagship cybersecurity event.

Mélanie Lussier, President of Aéro Montréal and Jarrod Morley, Director, Innovation, Competitiveness and Productivity of Aéro Montréal will be present as panelists. To see the detailed program.

Aéro Montréal graciously invites its members to take part in the event by using the code AEROMKN3E4UB when registering ($200 discount).

+ BOOK YOUR TICKET

 

// ARTICLES TO READ

Deloitte

ARTICLE |  WHERE COULD AEROSPACE AND DEFENCE COMPANIES FOCUS TO BETTER MITIGATE CYBERSECURITY THREATS? 
Taking flight, staying secure

Contributors:
Elise Villeneuve
, Partner, Deloitte Monitor, National leader, Aerospace and Defense
Leslie Guerin, Manager, Strategy & Business Design, Deloitte Monitor

Excerpt — " What if hackers could bring down a plane? Or take control of an unmanned military drone? Or interfere with a satellite? Or access an aerospace company’s supply-chain information? These may seem like futuristic scenarios, but the reality is that some of this is already happening today.

In recent years, increasing numbers of cyber incidents have been affecting the aerospace and defence (A&D) industry. The increased adoption of cloud computing, Internet of Things (IoT) devices and systems, and artificial intelligence (AI) has led to an increased reliance on technology. This also has presented opportunities for significant disruption, through a larger attack surface and an increased potential for cyberattacks. Even more sophisticated attacks are now possible too—including social engineering and zero-day exploits, which can bypass traditional security measures. "

+ READ THE FULL ARTICLE

 
StreamScan
 

// MEET OUR MEMBERS

AÉRO MONTRÉAL VISIT AT CEL

CEL is a Canadian company that has been manufacturing aircraft engine testing equipment for 30 years: turboprops, turbine engines, business and commercial aircraft, APUs (auxiliary power units) and industrial applications.

Their slogan : Building Test Solutions.

CEL

The company designs and produces a wide range of turnkey test equipment including engine test cells, component test benches, expert data acquisition and control systems, and specialized research and development facilities.

They also offer calibration and maintenance services and provide comprehensive startup support to help maintain reliable lifetime operation.

Located in Longueuil, CEL has facilities in Europe, Asia and the United States and today has more than a hundred employees. Recently, the company was chosen as a partner in Pratt's new hybrid electric propulsion project.

CEL

During their visit to CEL, our 3 Aéro Montréal colleagues, Damien Pereira, Director, Growth and International Affairs (left), Sylvain Lefrançois, Director, Defense and Security (2nd from right) and Jarrod Morley, Director, Innovation, competitiveness and productivity (right), were welcomed by Pierre-Alexandre Morais, President and CEO of CEL and Steeve Lepage, Vice-President, Operations of CEL (2nd from left).

+ CEL HAS CHOSEN TO PARTICIPATE IN THE FOLLOWING AÉRO MONTRÉAL VALUE-ADDED INITIATIVE TO CONTINUE ITS GROWTH 

INNOVATION ZONE INITIATIVE: The Innovation Zones initiative, designed and launched by the government of Quebec in 2020, aims to shorten the time between idea and commercialization, attract investment and talent, promote clean and sustainable growth and territorial and human development. Aéro Montréal and its partners are leading advanced discussions with the government with the aim of establishing an aerospace innovation zone called L'Espace Aéro.

 

» WOULD YOU LIKE TO PLAN A VISIT FROM AÉRO MONTRÉAL TO YOUR COMPANY?

+ BOOK A VISIT

 

// WELCOME TO OUR NEW MEMBERS

Talsom

 

Purves Redmond Limited

 

// EVENTS TO COME

 
GLASTA

» GLASTA Aviation & Space Technology Alliance Symposium 
Co-organized by Aéro Montréal

October 11-13, 2023

 

+ REGISTRATION

 
Adequation conference

» Adéquation formation-emploi conference

October 17, 2023 - 8 am to 5 pm

 

+ REGISTRATION

 
Vermont Manufacturing Summit

» The Manufacturing Summit 

October 25-26, 2023

 

+ REGISTRATION

 
International Aerospace Innovation Forum

» International Aerospace Innovation Forum
By Aéro Montréal

May 21 to 23, 2024

» SAVE THE DATE

+ MORE INFORMATION

 

O U R   P A R T N E R S : 

Canada
Québec
Communauté métropolitaine de Montréal
Norton Rose Fulbright
 
Aéro Montréal

380, Saint-Antoine street West
suite 3120
Montreal, Quebec  H2Y 3X7
T : 514 987-9330

aeromontreal.ca