About the Security, Economics and Technology Hub (SET)

As Canada progresses into the 21st century, it is experiencing changes at an accelerating rate in three interrelated areas: security, economics and technology (SET).

Canada's place in the world will be increasingly dependent on its security, its economic strength and its technological evolution. These issues are inseparable as Canada strives to keep pace with the unfolding new political orders and be prepared for the future by innovating and adapting to disruptive technology and global change.

Turbulence is a part of change.  We need to embrace, utilize and influence those changes without letting risk define our opportunities. Understanding our world will make us confident in making strategic decisions.

The Professional Development Institute, through the SET program, has engaged with our community to provide relevant and contemporary knowledge on issues that are important to us. We have facilitated training and events designed to address your interests. In light of global challenges, the needs of policy makers, practitioners and the private sector, the SET hub will provide access to subject matter experts who will explain the details and dynamics of these areas and who will help you prepare to navigate a positive and forward path in your responsibilities.

Security considerations are on the mind of all decision-makers in the public and private sectors, and indeed, of most citizens. The Institute is trusted source of knowledge and learning in security policy. It fosters substantive dialogue and provides professional development opportunities with top security policy experts from around the world. The exchange of knowledge on the most current and emerging security issues leads to actionable policy options, informed decision-making and enhanced planning for resiliency.

Complete any five SET events or workshops to receive a Certificate from the Professional Development Institute. Please note courses completed, in 2017 or later, under the former Security Policy Institute (SPI) umbrella also qualify for this Certificate.

Upcoming SET Courses & Events

** LUNCH & LEARN **
Why is Yemen Important to the World? | Postponed

In the wake of the Arab Spring, the dreams of Yemeni people turned into a nightmare with a violent conflict that is entering its sixth year. The Yemeni state collapsed, leaving the ground for militant groups that turned the country into a ruin. Yemen has become a battle ground fueled by countries like Saudi Arabia, UAE, Iran, Qatar, Oman, and the USA; all striving to maintain and increase their influence in the region. Read more.

 

 

** Launch Event **
UOttawa SET DISPRUPTION SERIES
The Challenge of Disinformation | Postponed

In a partnership that includes international experts from Washington, DC, Sweden, and the United Kingdom, among others, PDI is proud to launch a transnational initiative on disinformation and the surge in calls to violence on social media and across the internet. Join us at the Institute as we launch this initiative on Tuesday, April 21, 2020 from 11:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Read more.

 

 

Canada and the Cyber Challenge | May 2020

This course will explore the digitized world (the good, the bad and the ugly) in the Canadian context with a view to assessing the breadth and scope of the cyber reality within Canada and the policy challenges it poses with emphasis on the Federal Government. You will be able to identify security gaps that cross policy files, and develop integrated policies to anticipate and respond to cyber threats. Read more.

 

 

Cybersecurity Management and Implementation | May 2020

This course builds on the participants’ knowledge gained from the Introduction to Cybersecurity course, with a broad discussion and review of cybersecurity risks and treatment techniques faced by all organizations, including threat and risk assessments, data breaches, root cause analysis, operational, financial, and strategic risks. Participants review various risk treatment alternatives and develop a preliminary implementation strategy. Read more.

 

 

 

Cyber Futures | May 2020

Changing demographics, resource competition, environmental stresses, globalization, economics, governance, urbanization, geopolitics, the unprecedented advancement in science and technology are all significant trends shaping our future. Strategic understanding and leadership will be needed in the future to ensure Canada is prepared for these challenges and opportunities. Read more.

 

 

Understanding The Canadian Intelligence Community: Who Does What and Why | May 2020

The course serves to provide non-practitioners with a basic grounding in the structure, functions and challenges associated with Canada's intelligence community. Learning objectives include defining "intelligence", types of intelligence collection and analytical methods and the intelligence cycle and how it functions in Canada. The course will also delve in to the Canadian intelligence community and the current challenges it faces. Read more.

 

 

Strategic Dynamics and Issues in the Middle East | June & October 2020

This course offers a deep dive into understanding the Middle East. It covers the main characteristics and dynamics of this region and its component states; its place in global affairs and international security; and the security challenges. We analyze the social, economic, demographic , energy and security dynamics of the region; the policies, interests, governing systems and politics, and national security infrastructure of its key states and the interests and influence of external actors (especially the US, Russia and China). Read more.

 

 

 

 

Moles, Mass Leakers and Messiahs: Insider Threat and the Psychological Pathways to Betrayal | July 2020

Utilizing case studies of traitors ranging from ideological moles such as Kim Philby and Oleg Gordievsky; to mass leakers Snowden and Manning; Canada’s Jeffery Delisle (DND) and Brian Molony (CIBC) and others, this workshop examines the psycho-social drivers of betrayal, as well as its external triggers. Read more.

 

 

 
Introduction to Cybersecurity | July 2020

This two-day course highlights the basic concepts involved in cybersecurity from who or what is a threat actor, policy development to the implementation of a risk management and a business continuity program. Participants will learn about personal and corporate privacy, the risk of data breaches while gaining insights with regards to challenges and solutions for companies, and governmental institutions.
Read more.

 

 

Intelligence in Strategy and National Security Policymaking | October 2020

Intelligence refers to the process of collecting and analyzing policy-relevant, often difficult to obtain, information.  Accurate intelligence is crucial for policy-makers and practitioners to formulate and implement strategies with regard to the core issues of national security, including counter-terrorism, counter-proliferation, foreign policy and defense policy. This course will introduce participants to the craft of collecting, processing, analyzing and presenting intelligence.   Know more.

 

 

Cyber Defence Against the Dark Arts | October 2020

This course provides insights into future defensive and offensive cyber power and influence in a world where the contest to control the fabric of cyberspace is as significant as the Manhattan project. The material covers over-the-horizon adversarial capabilities, tradecraft and state-of-the-art solutions. We will explore intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR) methods for the detection, identification, hunt, attribution, targeting and engagement of advanced persistent threats. Read more.

 

 

A Business Case for Cybersecurity | November 2020

This course builds on implementation knowledge by addressing the business and cost side challenges faced by companies and governmental institutions. Starting with the growing costs of cyber risks and attacks, participants will apply analytics to identify benefits and loss exposures of accepting or transfer such risks. A cybersecurity model and scenario will be used through which participants will examine and evaluate the business costs benefits of TRA, ISMS, BCM frameworks. Know more.

 

Cyber Security Pragmatics / Essentials for Business and Government | November 2020

This course examines the nature of cyberspace, provides a strategic understanding for leadership and management within this domain, and explores multi-stake-holder engagement/partnerships strategies to address challenges for inter-governmental and multilevel governance of cyberspace. Read more.

 

 

Terrorism, Counter-Terrorism and National Security Policy | November 2020

The profile of national security in general, and threats from terrorism specifically, ebbs and flows over time, despite the fact that the risk of attacks from a variety of sources is ever-present. This session looks at the policy implications of the threat posed by terrorism today, and the Government of Canada's counter-terrorism strategies. Read more.

 

 

 

Operating Securely in High Risk Environments | TBD 2020 

Today’s complex global security risk environment dictates that your organization must be prepared to protect its people, assets, infrastructure and reputation from a myriad of ongoing threats and risks everywhere it operates in the world. This is especially true in high risk environments. Read more.

 

 

Terrorism in Canada: Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow | TBD 2020

This intensive two-day course will examine the terrorist threat to Canada and how it is being managed.  Instruction will consist of a series of short lectures and case studies.  Participants will be engaged throughout and encouraged to offer their own views. Read more.

 

 

 

 

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