Over the past few months, I have been collaborating with a few prominent figures from the military and industry in defining our theme and agenda for C4ISR and Beyond 2018. I’m excited to announce that we have a sterling lineup in place for this upcoming event that will delve into the theme of Beyond Sensors.

Over the past few years, Vanguard has been instrumental in providing both government and industry with a medium to engage on the concept of C4ISR. As our readers will know, C4ISR is a big area that is made up of many different components that give commanders and decision-makers the information needed to make informed decisions.

At our January 30th event that will be held in Ottawa, our focus will be on data as an enabler in C4ISR system in the digital age. AI and other technologies will be discussed as it relates to the advancement of C4ISR systems. If you are planning to attend, you will have the opportunity to hear from Rear-Admiral Darren Hawco, MSM, CD, Chief of Force Development; Rear-Admiral Scott Bishop, CMM, CD, Commander Canadian Forces Intelligence Command and Chief of Defence Intelligence; and many other experts within this field. For an overview and what to expect at C4ISR and Beyond, please be sure to read pages 40-41.

The December/January issue is one that is built on current trends within the defence and security industry and insights that can be used to leverage the growth in these areas. Jeffrey D. Rodney, Director, Consulting & Deals — Government Defence at PwC in his piece, Closing the SEAMS, writes that to keep nations secure, governments around the world must transform themselves to create more agile and effective approaches to security.

Other pieces on security include Cyber defence in depth: High walls alone won’t defend the castle by Mike Stone, KPMG’s Global Head of Technology Transformation for Infrastructure, Government and Healthcare; Cyber threats to Canada’s democratic processes by Eric Jacksch who talks about the Communications Security Establishment (CSE) report that was released a few months ago warning that cyber capabilities will likely be used in an attempt to influence the Canadian democratic process.

Space mining is an area that is gaining traction. Kyle Van Hooren, an Analyst at Avascent explains in his article Perfect Partners: Time for Canada to team up its mining and space industries, that while there is profound expertise housed in Canada in both mining and space, a Canadian space-mining effort is noticeably absent.

As governments around the world embark on their respective digital transformation journey, Marcello Sukhdeo, Managing Editor of Vanguard writes about how this digital change is not a one-time change but must be an ongoing transformation for organizations to survive. He talks about the digital transformation roadmap that Microsoft is using to help many governments in their transformation.

We are excited to announce Vanguard’s Game Changers for this issue: Jean Filion CEO, Uncharted Research and Development Inc.; George A. (Sandy) Thomson Innovator, Thomson-Gordon Group Inc.; and Tim Van Holst, President HCL Logistics Inc. Filion is leading an environmentally conscious micro corporation that specializes in disruptive technologies applicable for defence. Thomson is changing the game with mechanical shaft seal designs for water lubricated propeller shafts and developing a completely grease-free landing gear and flap guide system for aviation. While Van Holst is leading the charge in automating communications and processes.

I hope you enjoy reading this issue and we look forward to bring you more relevant content in 2018!

Please click on the image below to see the Dec/Jan 2018 issue.