Between October 14–17, a delegation from the National Cyber and Information Security Agency (NÚKIB) visited Canada. The delegation included Vladěna Sasková, Head of the EU and International Cooperation Department; Jana Bašistová, Head of the Satellite Services Security Unit; and Berta Jarošová, Cyber Attachée for USA and Canada.
During the visit, NÚKIB representatives held meetings with counterparts from the federal government, private sector, and academia. The trip was part of the Projects to Support Economic-Research Diplomacy (PROPED) program of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Czech Republic. It was organized by the Embassy of the Czech Republic in Ottawa and the Consulate General in Toronto, in cooperation with CzechInvest and with support of NÚKIB’s Department of Science, Research and Innovation. Czech technology companies Phonexia, Huld, CGI and the Czech Technical University in Prague also participated in the mission.
In Ottawa, the delegation met with government partners to discuss strengthening cooperation in countering cyber threats – particularly from state-sponsored actors – and protecting critical infrastructure. Czech representatives held in-person with Bridget Walshe, Director of the Canadian Centre for Cybersecurity (part of the Communications Security Establishment), and Hani Nasser, Director of Domains and Technology Policy at the Department of National Defence. Discussions with experts from the Royal Canadian Mounted Police and Public Safety Canada also focused on combating cybercrime. Part of the delegation visited Telesat, a leading Canadian satellite services provider.
‘The meetings with Canadian counterparts reaffirmed our mutual support for Ukraine—not only in cyberspace—and our shared commitment to defending democratic values. Given current geopolitical developments and global instability, Canada has expressed strong interest in deepening cooperation with Europe, including the Czech Republic. Moving forward, aim to expand collaboration in areas such as information sharing on cyber threats, cyber exercises and exchanging experience in implementing post-quantum cryptography. A Canadian delegation is scheduled to visit the Czech Republic at the end of October to continue discussions on these specific topics,’ said Vladěna Sasková.
As part of the visit, NÚKIB representatives also participated in the InCyber Forum in Montreal, speaking on panels focused on cyber diplomacy, ICT supply chain security, and the importance of satellite communications for transport infrastructure. On the sidelines of the forum, they met with representatives of the Ministry for Cybersecurity of Quebec and Salvatore Sciacchitano, President of the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO).
‘We discussed the growing threats related to attempts to disrupt global navigation satellite system services and explore possibilities for cooperation in protecting these satellite services, which are critical to national security. Canada’s participation in the Horizon Europe program also opens new opportunities for joint research with leading Czech universities and technology companies. The Czech Republic has much to offer in this field, thanks to its many companies specializing in space technologies. Moreover, the EU Agency for the Space Programme (EUSPA) is headquartered in Prague, where NÚKIB represents the Czech Republic,’ added Jana Bašistová.
In Toronto, the delegation spoke at the third annual Czech Cybersecurity Forum, which brought together Czech companies along with representatives from Ontario’s Ministry of Economic Development, universities and technology firms. The forum featured two expert panel discussions—one on critical infrastructure protection and digital forensics, and another on satellite communications security. The delegation also held discussions on cybercrime, the threat of deepfakes and telecommunications security with the Ontario Cyber Centre of Excellence, the Toronto Police Service and the Ministry of the Solicitor General.
The mission concluded with discussions on strengthening cooperation between Czech and Canadian research institutions. The delegation visited Ontario Tech University in Oshawa, which focuses, among other things, on satellite communications security, and the Rogers Cybersecure Catalyst at Toronto Metropolitan University, where they met participants of the CyberChallenge Startup Cohort program.
‘This year’s week-long mission focused not only on cybersecurity but also on satellite service security, which is part of NÚKIB’s mandate. Another goal was to establish closer contacts with security agencies involved in combating cybercrime. Compared to previous years, this year’s topics also included cyber defense, deterrence in cyberspace and cooperation within NATO. The Czech Republic will host the NATO Cyber Champions Summit in Prague in March 2026, to which we are also inviting a Canadian delegation,’ concluded Berta Jarošová, Cyber Attachée for the United States and Canada.