Expert discussions on the preparation of Draft Arrangement concerning industrial security between the SCIS and the Department for Public Works and Government Services Canada

Posted on 07 Sep 2010 12:52:00

The expert discussions with representatives of the Department for Public Works and Government Services Canada continued at the Headquarters of the State Commission on Information Security.

The briefings were attended by Mrs. Mariya Mateva – Member of the Commission for Personal Data Protection and by representatives of the Ministry of Defence, the Ministry of Interior and the Security Services. The theme of the briefings was the legal framework of the personnel and industrial security of the two states.

Mr. Pilon continued with the presentations and referred in more details to the issues concerning the industrial security of Canada.

The presentation on military defence industry covered the development of Canada in this field from the period after the Second World War to the present days. On the basis of the Defence Strategy of the country, a detailed map on the modernization of the Canadian Forces had been prepared. According to the plan, around 100 billion dollars are expected to be spent in the next 20 years. The military personnel will be increased to 70 thousand.

One hundred global leaders participate in the Air Defence Industry of Canada and deal with aviation – maintenance of helicopters, landing, flight simulation, air systems. 

The next presentation by the Canadian delegation was on the theme “Protection of Classified and Protected Information”.

Mr. Pilon pointed out that according to Canadian legislation there are two types of information: Classified and Protected. The access to classified information is regulated by the Security of Information Act. For this information is valid the same principle as in Bulgaria according to the Classified Information Protection Act – “need to know”.

The Privacy Act, according to Canadian legislation, regulates the order for handling personal data, as well as the status of the protected information and the order for access to it. The main principle according to this Act is the sanctity of personal data, as well as the right of every individual to require the observation of the conditions for their use by the respective authorities. The act outlines also the legal framework for managing personal data.

The issue concerning the protection of information in the field of security in the state departments, the risk management, the vetting process, the check-ups on the credit and criminal records of the vetted individuals was presented in details.
The protected information concerns information, which is not of national interest. The classification levels of the protected information of Canada are: “Protected A”, “Protected B” and “Protected C”.

“Protected A”  is the information with low degree of sensitivity, including for example person’s name, address, data regarding to the salary. “Protected B” is information representing serious threat, which is not of national interest. “Protected C” is the information with high degree of sensitivity with the possibility of reaching the interests of national security. The example for this is the witness protection program.

The classified information is such information that concerns the national interests and the disclosure of which can harm national security. According to the Canadian system the classification levels are analogical with these in Bulgaria with the exception of “Restricted” information.

The aim of the final presentation of Mr. Pilon was “The Industrial Security Program” of Canada. It includes the national and the international industrial security of the state, as well as the protection of information in this field. The program was established in 1941 and is part of the Public Works and Government Services Department. 

The Industrial Security Program is developed in a way to stimulate the Canadian industry to participate in signing foreign trade contracts requiring access to classified information. The main role for the protection of information in this sphere is performed by the Industrial Security Directorate. It is responsible for issuing of the facility security clearances, the vetting of the personnel, the registered companies. 

In conclusion, Mr. Pilon made retrospection of the development of industrial security in Canada and outlined the future perspectives.

On 2 September 2010, the Canadian delegation together with the Chairperson of the State Commission on Information Security and representatives of the Commission, visited “Samel-90” AD, where they were introduced to the commercial activities of the company and to the measures for the protection of classified information.