Mandate of the Communications Security Establishment Canada

When the Anti-terrorism Act came into effect on December 24, 2001, it added Part V.1 to the National Defence Act, and set out CSEC's three-part mandate:

• Part (a) authorizes CSEC to acquire and use foreign signals intelligence in accordance with the Government of Canada's intelligence priorities;
• Part (b) authorizes CSEC to help protect electronic information and information infrastructures of importance to the Government of Canada; and
• Part (c) authorizes CSEC to provide technical and operational assistance to federal law enforcement and security agencies, including helping them obtain and understand communications collected under those agencies' own authorities.

Protection of Canadians

CSEC is prohibited by law from directing its foreign signals intelligence collection  and IT security activities at Canadians — wherever they might be in the world — or at any person in Canada.