Canada Lags in Digital Infrastructure Resilience as Global Risks Intensify
Canada’s fragmented approach to digital infrastructure resilience is creating vulnerabilities amid rising geopolitical and climate-related risks, according to a recent white paper by telecom expert Georg Serentschy (Source). The report warns that Canada’s regulatory frameworks fail to address the systemic nature of today’s interconnected networks, data centers, cloud platforms, and subsea cables.
Canada’s Disconnect: Siloed Policies for an Integrated Challenge
While global regulatory frameworks such as the EU’s NIS2 directive and the US’s NIST Cybersecurity Framework are advancing risk-based approaches to digital infrastructure, Canada lags behind in addressing the increasing interdependence of critical systems. According to Serentschy, climate-driven disasters, cyberattacks, and supply-chain vulnerabilities have already exposed the fragility of Canada’s networks, yet policies remain reactive and fragmented.
Serentschy’s analysis highlights the necessity of “resilience engineering” across the full lifecycle of infrastructure—from design and investment to recovery. Without unified standards, critical indicators like restoration times, route diversity, and supplier dependency remain unmeasured in Canada.
Why Resilience is a Strategic Imperative for Canada
The paper underscores the global risks shaping connectivity, from geopolitical tensions to the dominance of hyperscalers and satellite operators. For Canada, which relies heavily on foreign cloud and satellite services—particularly in remote northern regions—this dependence poses strategic risks. Digital sovereignty, Serentschy argues, is about achieving “controlled interdependence” by reducing critical dependencies and fostering trusted global partnerships.
For context, the EU has already taken steps to empower regional autonomy through stricter regulation of cross-border data flows and infrastructure chokepoints. Canada’s lack of a coherent strategy on digital sovereignty makes it vulnerable to external shocks, whether from natural disasters or geopolitical disruptions. Without proactive measures, the country risks being caught off guard by future crises.
What’s Next: Building a Resilient Digital Ecosystem
Serentschy calls for Canada to shift from resilience rhetoric to actionable resilience engineering. This involves adopting measurable frameworks, promoting public-private collaboration, and integrating climate adaptation directly into network planning. Industry analysts suggest that lessons from the EU and US regulatory models could fast-track Canada’s response.
The stakes are rising as Canada’s economic stability, national security, and social continuity depend on its ability to modernize its infrastructure policies. Leaders must decide whether to treat digital infrastructure as a unified ecosystem or continue addressing individual sectors in isolation. The question remains: Will Canada wait for the next major outage or geopolitical event to force action?
Read the full white paper here.
