Dragos Inc. has launched its Community Defense Program in Canada, offering free access to operational technology (OT) cybersecurity software specifically for qualifying utility providers. This initiative targets small water, electric, and gas companies with annual revenues under approximately $140M CAN, which may face challenges in securing the necessary cybersecurity resources to protect their operational environments.

The program includes access to the Dragos Platform, which features asset visibility, threat detection, vulnerability management, and incident response capabilities, as well as the Neighborhood Keeper, a collective defense network that enhances community threat visibility and analytics. Additionally, participants can benefit from the Dragos Academy for on-demand training, and membership in OT-CERT for incident response support.

According to Robert M. Lee, CEO and Co-Founder of Dragos, larger sectors in Canada have made investments in OT cybersecurity, but smaller utilities often cannot keep pace with evolving threats. The program, initially launched in the United States, has been made possible in Canada through partnerships, notably with Elastic, which provides critical infrastructure to ensure the program's scalability.

Maxime M. Boutin, Co-Founder of VARS Corporation, expressed excitement about the program's expansion, noting its potential to improve cybersecurity capabilities across Canada’s critical infrastructure sectors. The Dragos Community Defense Program aims to foster a secure environment for vital services in communities.

For more information regarding the application or eligibility for the program, interested utility providers can visit the Dragos website.