The NAOC’s Cyber Security and Emerging Threats Program features an in-depth analysis of latest trends, developments, and threats in international security. New security concerns are always on the horizon and our program seeks to examine these domains including global warming, natural resources, drones, urban conflicts, and cyberspace. 

The program’s mandate is to keep Canadians informed on these rapidly developing and increasingly pivotal realms that are integral to all aspects of security.  

Alexander Martin Cyber Security and Emerging Threats

AI-Powered Mis/Disinformation War

In today’s digital age, mis-and disinformation has become pervasive, fueled by advancements in AI and deep-fake technology, while the centralized nature of social media platforms accelerates its spread, amplifying false narratives to vast audiences with unprecedented speed. NATO recognized this growing threat to democracy during the Washington Summit last summer, emphasizing its critical impact in Read More…

Cyber Security and Emerging Threats Jeremy Ofwono

The Verdict of History: An Incomplete Peace Is a Dangerous Proposition

Since the Russian invasion of Ukraine began in 2014, Moscow’s aggression against its neighbour has gone through several significant phases, from the annexation of Crimea, to mounting insurgency in the Donbas, to its full-scale invasion of Ukraine proper in 2022 and a subsequent seesaw of back-and-forth offensives. With the Trump Administration in full swing, the Read More…

Cyber Security and Emerging Threats Jeremy Ofwono

Securing Canadian Interests Under the Second Trump Administration: The Need for An Attitude Adjustment

On January 20th, 2025, Donald Trump was officially sworn in as the President of the United States for his second term after winning the 2024 US election. With this, a new age of global politics is in the offing. Trump’s policies during his first administration were largely guided by an “America First” agenda, reflecting a Read More…

Alexander Martin Cyber Security and Emerging Threats

Blockchain in the Trump Era: Shaping the Future of Global Economy and Security

As the global landscape shifts under the Trump Administration, it is characterized by increasing political polarization, a focus on deregulation, and a growing interest in digital currencies and blockchain technologies. As a result, attention is now being paid to how these innovations could reshape the global economy and national security. The rising interest in digital Read More…

Alexander Martin Cyber Security and Emerging Threats

The Digital Battlefield: How China’s Cyber Program Is Reshaping National Security

On Sunday, January 19th, TikTok, the app that has captivated millions, was expected to shut down its operations in the U.S. This follows a sweeping federal ban sparked by a new law demanding that ByteDance, the Chinese company behind TikTok, divest from the app. Canada, too, is stepping up its scrutiny, forcing TikTok to close Read More…

Alexander Martin Cyber Security and Emerging Threats

Mis/Disinformation and Polarization Online: Protecting Canada’s Democracy in the Digital Age

This is an era where information warfare is evolving at an unprecedented pace. The digital landscape, marked by rapid shifts, such as the acquisition of Twitter (now X), the Cambridge Analytica scandal, and targeted disinformation campaigns, has exposed the increasing vulnerability of democracies, particularly in the Global North. NATO distinguishes between “misinformation”—false or inaccurate information Read More…

Cyber Security and Emerging Threats Jeremy Ofwono

From Aid to Boots on the Ground: The Russian-North Korean Axis in the Ukraine Conflict

Since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine on February 24, 2022, the two countries have been embroiled in Europe’s largest conventional conflict since World War II, suffering thousands of civilian and military casualties. Since the war began, Ukraine has received substantial aid from NATO and EU members, with EU commitments exceeding $126 billion as of April 30, Read More…

Cyber Security and Emerging Threats Jeremy Ofwono

Drones of Influence: Information Warfare & Border Security on the Korean Peninsula

On October 11, 2024, North Korea accused South Korea of flying drones into its capital, claiming that the drones were used to spread South Korean propaganda across Pyongyang. On October 19, the KCNA state agency reported, “In light of the drone’s shape, the presumptive period of flight, the leaflet-scattering box fixed to the underpart of Read More…

Clara Lachman Cyber Security and Emerging Threats

The Missing Element to Navigating the Threat of AI

November 30, 2022 marked a turning point in the landscape of artificial intelligence (AI). On this day, a new technology known as ChatGPT landed in the hands of the public. Launched as an interactive chatbot by AI research and deployment company, OpenAI, the tool quickly initiated a cascade of exponential technological advancement that took society Read More…