Snowflake, the company known as AI Data Cloud, announced it has successfully completed the Canadian Centre for Cyber Security (CCCS) “Protected B” assessment. With this, the platform meets the level of moderate cloud security profile requirements for deployments on both AWS Canada (Centra) and Microsoft Azure Canada (Central).
This milestone positions Snowflake as a top-tier technology partner for government agencies, regulated entities, and industries that require secure handling of sensitive data, ranging from personal information to critical national security data.
A strategic step for Canada’s public cloud
The “Protected B” accreditation is a vital standard for institutions managing delicate personal and operational data, such as ministries, health departments, or security agencies. It provides Snowflake with assurances of stability, regulatory compliance, and security, while enabling Canadian organizations to advance their digital modernization strategies under a cloud-first approach.
“In the Canadian public sector, there is a clear focus on increasing efficiency, strengthening national cybersecurity, and fostering innovation. Data is at the core of these priorities, with AI driving progress,” stated Shannon Katschilo, General Manager of Snowflake Canada. “Achieving the Protected B certification reaffirms our commitment to the highest security standards and establishes Snowflake as a trusted partner for both the public sector and private industry.”
Key use cases for the Canadian government
Snowflake emphasizes that obtaining this certification will enable institutions to:
- Enhance national security and emergency response: improving intelligence analysis, cyber threat detection, supply chain management, and disaster coordination.
- Improve citizen services: consolidating databases to offer more personalized services, from automated application processing to AI-powered assistants and anti-fraud systems.
- Support evidence-based policies: utilizing real-time data and predictive models for planning in public health, climate change, housing, or economics.
- Optimize internal government management: reducing costs through procurement and contract analysis, predicting maintenance needs, and automating processes.
Beyond security: building a foundation for trustworthy AI
The Snowflake AI Data Cloud not only enables secure storage but also lays the groundwork for public agencies to develop reliable, compliant AI-driven applications.
The unified platform allows:
- Secure collaboration across agencies and with external partners, without the need for complex integrations.
- Centralized governance, ensuring control over data access and usage.
- Operational cost reduction, by consolidating multiple data systems into a single multi-cloud environment.
Local commitment with a global vision
Snowflake’s investment in Canada is also reflected in its engineering hub in Toronto, which serves as the national headquarters and focuses on the public sector’s needs. It is one of five global development centers for the company, highlighting the strategic importance of the Canadian market in its international expansion.
Conclusion
With the completion of the “Protected B” assessment, Snowflake positions itself as an essential partner for the Canadian government and highly regulated sectors seeking to harness the power of AI without compromising security. In a context where data has become a critical resource for decision-making and service delivery, the company reinforces its role as a bridge between technological innovation and digital sovereignty.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
1. What does the “Protected B” certification mean?
It is a standard from the Canadian Centre for Cyber Security that defines how sensitive data—including personal and critical operational information—must be managed.
2. What benefits does Snowflake provide to the Canadian public sector?
It allows consolidating scattered data into a single secure platform, facilitates collaboration across agencies, and accelerates the development of AI-powered applications.
3. What types of projects can be driven by this certification?
From more personalized citizen services and cyber defense programs to data-driven policymaking and government expenditure optimization.
4. How does Snowflake fit into Canada’s cloud-first strategy?
It offers a multi-cloud platform that operates identically on AWS and Azure, simplifying cloud adoption while ensuring security and governance.