Energy Security Technical Advisory Committee (E-STAC)

The Energy Security Technical Advisory Committee (E-STAC) is an industry-based all-hazards information sharing group, which operates as the key hub for energy industry collaboration and strategic coordination with the Canadian federal government on energy sector-related security matters.

With an emphasis on cyber security issues, E-STAC provides a trusted forum for information exchange, enhancing cyber security maturity through the building of operational technical capacity, the development of human resources, policy development, and through collaboration across other critical infrastructure sectors.

The Canadian Gas Association spearheaded E-STAC in late 2023 in light of the accelerating rise of cyber incidents impacting the energy sector and in lock-step with the federal government’s intent to focus on the energy sector the way it has historically done with the telecom and finance sectors.

Leadership

Industry Chair: Enbridge Inc. (November 2023 – November 2025)

Pillars

E-STAC is built on four pillars which serve to direct the various activities of focus and to guide the way in which it conducts its business. These pillars are:

  • Community
  • Policy

  • Technical
  • Resourcing

Objectives

In regard to security and risk management issues affecting the energy sector, E-STAC operates with the following key objectives, organized along each of the four pillars:

Pillar Objective
Community Exchange information among industry stakeholders
Community Exchange information and advice between industry and Government of Canada
Technical Enhance situational awareness of all-hazards
Resourcing Ensure verified, skilled, and abundant resources are available
Community Collaborate with other critical infrastructure sectors
Technical Grow and build operational and tactical support initiatives and research
Policy Identify and provide advice on remediating strategic gaps

Membership

E-STAC industry membership is by invitation-only and includes organizations which produce, transmit, and distribute energy to meet the needs of the Canadian economy and public. Member organizations are represented by senior executives, such as Chief Technology Officers (CTO) and Chief Information Security Officers (CISO).

Government members

 

Industry members

  • Canadian Gas Association
  • CGA Enterprises Inc.
  • Electricity Canada
  • Enbridge Inc.
  • Cenovus Energy Inc.
  • Ovintiv Canada
  • Tourmaline Oil Corp.
  • Pembina Pipeline
  • Baytex Energy Ltd.
  • Vermilion Energy Inc.
  • FortisBC Energy Inc.
  • County of Vermilion River – Gas Co-op
  • AltaGas Ltd.
  • SaskEnergy
  • Birchcliff Energy
  • Enerplus Corporation
  • Paramount Resources
  • Keyera Corp.
  • Kitchener Utilities
  • Ontario Power Generation

  • Irving Oil
  • Suncor Energy Services Inc.
  • ATCO
  • Nova Scotia Power
  • Utilities Kingston
  • Parkland Corporation
  • TC Energy
  • TriSummit Utilities
  • ARC Resources Ltd.
  • Énergir, L.P.
  • Cardinal Energy Ltd.
  • Teine Energy
  • Bruce Power
  • Gibson Energy
  • Whitecap Resources
  • Rockpoint Gas Storage
  • InPlay Oil
  • NorthRiver Midstream
  • Manitoba Hydro
  • E-ISAC

Cyber Security Task Force

E-STAC has a Cyber Security Task Force (CS TF) at its disposal to action various cyber security focused initiatives. The CS TF has existed under CGA’s leadership since about 2013 and has conducted many cyber security-focused initiatives over the years, including the development of industrial control system cyber security guidance, C2M2 workshops, various webinars, the development of a technical information sharing initiative referred to as the Blue Flame Program, and others.

Publications

Members of E-STAC have either separately or collectively developed various resources for the sector. Some of these include:

  •  CGA Guidance for Cyber Security of Industrial Control Systems (March 2019)
  •  Quantum-Safe Playbook for CGA Members

Contact the E-STAC Secretariat.