The Government of Canada’s Contract Security Program is designed to safeguard protected, classified, and other sensitive government information as well as foreign information and assets when entrusted to external parties (e.g., industry or academic institutions). Sensitive government information and assets may include military plans or personal information such as the financial records of Canadians.
The categories of protected or classified government information include:
Protected A: Applies to information or assets that, if compromised, could cause injury to an individual, organization or government.
Protected B: Applies to information or assets that, if compromised, could cause serious injury to an individual, organization or government.
Protected C: Applies to information or assets that, if compromised, could cause extremely grave injury to an individual, organization or government.
Confidential: Applies to information or assets that, if compromised, could cause injury to the national interest.
Secret: Applies to information or assets that, if compromised, could cause serious injury to the national interest.
Top Secret: Applies to information or assets that, if compromised, could cause exceptionally grave injury to the national interest.
University of Waterloo researchers involved in government research contracts may be required, as part of the research plan, to access, store or handle protected or classified government information and assets on campus.
The University of Waterloo is registered with the Contract Security Program. The Research Security Team can assist researchers in coordinating all necessary clearances (e.g., personnel, physical space, and information technology) required for conducting research involving protected government information or assets.
If you have any questions regarding the Contract Security Program or any potential research projects involving sensitive or protected government information or assets, please reach out to Jennifer Ranford.