Canada’s Bill C-8 and Critical Cyber Systems Protection Act

Canada’s Bill C-8 and Critical Cyber Systems Protection Act (CCSPA): What Critical Infrastructure Operators Need to Know

Cyber threats targeting Canada's critical infrastructure are growing in both frequency and sophistication. To help address these risks, Canada's Bill C-8 received Royal Assent on June 16 2026, introducing the Critical Cyber Systems Protection Act (CCSPA) and new cybersecurity obligations for designated operators of critical infrastructure.

For organizations in industries such as interprovincial pipelines, nuclear energy, transportation and telecommunications, cybersecurity is no longer solely an IT concern. It's a business priority that can affect operational resilience, regulatory readiness and long-term performance.

As organizations prepare for evolving requirements, many are taking a fresh look at their operational technology (OT) cybersecurity programs. The focus extends beyond defending against cyber threats. It includes understanding risk across complex environments, improving visibility and building confidence that critical operations can continue when disruptions occur.

What you'll learn in this article

• What Bill C-8 and the CCSPA mean for critical infrastructure operators
• Why visibility across OT environments matters
• How supply chain risk is becoming a larger part of cybersecurity planning
• Steps organizations can take to strengthen cybersecurity readiness

What Bill C-8 means for operations

The CCSPA establishes cybersecurity requirements for designated operators that provide some of Canada's most essential services. These requirements are designed to help organizations better manage cyber risk, strengthen resilience and improve their ability to respond when incidents occur.

For many operators, the challenge isn't simply adding new security controls. It's understanding risk across complex OT environments and demonstrating that cybersecurity programs are working as intended.

As regulatory expectations evolve, organizations are looking for practical ways to strengthen governance, improve visibility and build confidence in their cybersecurity posture.

Visibility comes first

You can't protect what you can't see.

Many critical infrastructure operators manage assets across multiple sites that have expanded over decades. As systems evolve, keeping inventories accurate becomes increasingly difficult.

Without a clear view of connected assets, it's harder to identify vulnerabilities, prioritize investments and understand where risk exists.

Asset discovery, inventory management and network monitoring help organizations create a more complete picture of their OT environment. That visibility provides the foundation for stronger cybersecurity programs and more informed decision-making.

Managing risk across the supply chain

Cybersecurity extends beyond your own operations.

Critical infrastructure organizations rely on suppliers, contractors, service providers and technology partners to keep operations running. As a result, understanding third-party risk is becoming an increasingly important part of cybersecurity management.

Organizations are taking a closer look at their supply chains, evaluating vendor practices and building processes to manage risk more consistently. This trend isn't limited to Canada. Similar requirements are emerging in cybersecurity regulations around the world.

Turning cybersecurity requirements into operational action

Preparing for new cybersecurity expectations starts with understanding current risk.

Many organizations begin with an assessment of their cybersecurity posture to identify gaps and prioritize improvements. Beyond technical risks, it's also important to understand potential operational consequences.

For example, a cybersecurity assessment may identify a vulnerability. A cybersecurity hazard and operability study (csHAZOP) can help determine what that vulnerability could mean for production, reliability or safety if it were exploited.

Honeywell Technologies helps critical infrastructure operators strengthen OT cybersecurity readiness through capabilities that include:

• Cybersecurity assessments and gap analysis
• Cybersecurity hazard and operability studies (csHAZOP)
• Cybersecurity program development
• Asset inventory and vulnerability management
• Network monitoring and anomaly detection
• Incident response planning and exercises
• OT security monitoring and managed security services

These capabilities help organizations gain visibility into their environments, identify areas for improvement and build cybersecurity programs aligned with recognized frameworks such as NIST and IEC 62443, helping support cybersecurity readiness as requirements continue to evolve.

Building resilience for what's next

Bill C-8 reflects a broader shift toward greater cybersecurity accountability across critical infrastructure sectors. Organizations that improve visibility, strengthen governance and take a proactive approach to risk management will be better positioned to navigate changing requirements while supporting reliable operations.

Honeywell Technologies works with customers to assess cyber risk, strengthen OT cybersecurity programs and improve operational resilience. By connecting expertise with operational intelligence, organizations can better understand risk today and build a stronger foundation for the future.

Learn how Honeywell Technologies can help strengthen your OT cybersecurity readiness and support your cybersecurity program goals.