Canada trains Philippine forces in defensive cyber ops

The Canadian Armed Forces Cyber Command will deliver a five-day cyber security training course to Philippine military counterparts.

The Military Cyber Security Operations Course will run from January 19 to 23. The Department of National Defence's Military Training and Cooperation Programme sponsors the activity. Canada is working with the Philippines' Department of National Defence on delivery.

Canadian officials said the course forms part of wider defence engagement between the two countries in the Indo-Pacific.

Course scope

The course provides introductory training in Defensive Cyber Operations. It focuses on practical skills in detecting, assessing and responding to malicious cyber activity that targets government and military networks.

Participants will come from the Armed Forces of the Philippines Cyber Command and the Philippine Army Signal Regiment Cyber Battalion.

The curriculum also includes legal instruction. The Office of the Judge Advocate General supports that element. It covers domestic and international legal frameworks for cyber operations. It also covers emerging and current issues in cyber law.

Canada said the training aligns with its defence policy document Our North, Strong and Free. The document sets out priorities that include cyber readiness and partnerships. Canada also linked the training to its Indo-Pacific Strategy.

Defence ties

Canada and the Philippines recently signed a Canada-Philippines Status of Visiting Forces Agreement. Canadian officials described the agreement as a step that enables closer and more predictable defence cooperation.

The cyber course sits alongside broader cooperation under the Military Training and Cooperation Programme. The programme represents Canada's primary mechanism for defence training and capacity building with select non-NATO partners.

Canadian Armed Forces Cyber Command leads cyber operations across the Canadian Armed Forces. It also leads electronic warfare and signals intelligence activities. The command has responsibilities that include protecting Canada's digital systems and supporting Canadian Armed Forces operations at home and abroad.

The course delivery reflects growing attention among defence organisations to cyber security training and collaboration. Military networks and government systems have faced rising levels of malicious cyber activity in recent years. Many countries have expanded defensive cyber units and introduced new training pipelines.

Major-General Dave Yarker, Commander, Canadian Armed Forces Cyber Command, commented on the initiative.

"Cyber security is a shared responsibility, and strong partnerships are essential to defending our networks in an increasingly contested digital environment. By delivering the Military Cyber Security Operations Course in the Philippines, Canada is investing in practical cooperation that strengthens regional resilience, improves interoperability and supports a free, open and secure Indo-Pacific," said Major-General Dave Yarker, Commander, Canadian Armed Forces Cyber Command.

The course takes place as Canada increases defence engagement in the Indo-Pacific. Canada has framed that engagement around relationships with like-minded partners and cooperation across a range of security issues, including cyber and maritime awareness.

Officials said cyber threats continue to evolve and that Canadian Armed Forces Cyber Command remains committed to sharing expertise and building trusted partnerships.