Mandate of CSE

Today CSE is Canada's national cryptologic agency. In its SIGINT capacity, CSE collects and analyzes foreign radio, radar and other electronic emissions; it is assisted in this activity by the Canadian Forces Supplementary Radio System (CFSRS), a component of the Canadian Forces, which operates from a number of stations around the country.

Through the provision of signals intelligence, CSE contributes to the government's foreign intelligence program. Foreign intelligence refers to information or intelligence about the capabilities, intentions or activities of foreign states, corporations, or persons in relation to the defence of Canada or the conduct of its international affairs. It may include information of a political, economic, military, scientific or social nature that could have security implications.

Through its ITS program, CSE provides technical advice, guidance and service on the means of assuring government telecommunications security and on aspects of electronic data processing security. CSE's objective is to help the federal government achieve an appropriate level of security for its telecommunications and automated information systems. CSE meets this objective by providing departments with both the means and advice to ensure the protection of classified and designated information. In this capacity, the service provided by CSE is intended to prevent access to sensitive information carried on government telephone and computer systems by any unauthorized person or organization, and to protect the integrity and availability of government information.