2027 Canadian National CUAS Conference

Register now for the 2027 Canadian National Counter UAS Conference

Event Details

• Dates: April 8 & 9, 2027
• Location: The Westin Ottawa, 11 Colonel By Drive Ottawa, Ontario 
• Book your hotel group rate HERE
• Register for the event HERE

Agenda coming soon.

Review last year's promotional video and agenda below. We look forward to welcoming you to Ottawa in April 2027.

For the first time at the Canadian National Counter UAS Conference, attendees will have the opportunity to participate in accredited Counter-UAS training delivered by internationally recognized Counter-UAS expert Col. Bill Edwards (Ret.), U.S. Army.

This exclusive professional development opportunity is designed to complement the conference experience by providing attendees with two days of in-depth instruction immediately prior to the conference. Participants will gain a practical understanding of unmanned aircraft systems (UAS), the evolving threat landscape and the operational considerations associated with Counter-UAS (C-UAS) programs.  Unlike training focused on drone operations, this program is specifically designed to address the detection, assessment and mitigation of drone-related threats within the current Canadian legal and regulatory environment.

Course Details

Instructor: Col. Bill Edwards (Ret.), U.S. ArmyDates: April 6-7, 2027Location: Ottawa, OntarioDuration: Two DaysCost: $1,200 CAD per participantAccreditation: 12 ASIS International Continuing Professional Education (CPE) Credits

Please note: Enrollment in this training is available exclusively to registered attendees of the 2027 Canadian National Counter UAS Conference.

Course Overview

As drone technology becomes increasingly accessible and capable, organizations across Canada are confronting new challenges involving criminal activity, contraband delivery, hostile surveillance, critical infrastructure threats and emerging public safety concerns.  This two-day training program provides participants with a practical and operational understanding of drone technology, current threat trends, available Counter-UAS capabilities and layered defence strategies. Through instructor-led presentations, facilitated discussions, practical exercises and collaborative planning activities, attendees will gain valuable insights into how agencies and organizations can develop their understanding of UAS threats and Counter-UAS response considerations.  The course will also examine the current Canadian legal and regulatory environment governing both UAS operations and Counter-UAS activities. Participants will gain an understanding of the authorities, limitations and practical considerations that influence drone detection, mitigation and enforcement activities within Canada.

Learning Objectives

Upon completion of the course, participants will be able to:

• Understand the history and evolution of drone technology
• Identify common drone platforms, control methods and payload capabilities
• Recognize criminal, terrorist and military applications of UAS
• Assess cyber security considerations associated with drone operations
• Understand the principles of drone detection, tracking and identification (DTI)
• Evaluate available Counter-UAS mitigation technologies and associated limitations
• Understand current Canadian legal, regulatory and policy considerations affecting UAS and Counter-UAS operations
• Apply layered defence concepts to operational environments
• Develop foundational Counter-UAS planning strategies for their organization

Course Content

Day One: UAS and Counter-UAS Fundamentals

• History and Evolution of Drones
• Drone Systems Design and Control Methods
• Payload Capabilities and Commercial Market Offerings
• Criminal, Terrorist and Military Employment of UAS
• Cyber Implications of Drone Technology
• Drone Detection, Tracking and Identification (DTI)
• Counter-UAS Mitigation Technologies
• Adversary Counter-Mitigation Tactics
• Current Canadian Legal and Regulatory Considerations
• Layered Defence Concepts and Operational Planning

Day One consists of instructor-led presentations, practical examples, facilitated discussion and small-group activities designed to reinforce key concepts.

Day Two: Practical Application and Assessment

Participants will apply the concepts learned during Day One through an interactive planning exercise focused on protecting a real-world site from UAS threats.

Activities include:

• Threat Assessment and Operational Planning
• Sensor Placement Exercise
• Development of a Layered Defence Strategy
• Group Presentations and Discussion
• UAS and Counter-UAS Fundamentals Examination

Training concludes with a written examination and course debrief.

Who Should Attend

This course is ideal for:

• Municipal, Provincial and Federal Law Enforcement
• Corrections Professionals
• Military and Defence Personnel
• Intelligence and Security Practitioners
• Critical Infrastructure Operators
• Emergency Management Professionals
• Government Regulators and Policy Makers
• Airport and Transportation Security Personnel
• Corporate Security and Risk Management Professionals

Certification

Participants who successfully complete the course examination will receive a Certificate of Completion and will be eligible to claim 12 ASIS International Continuing Professional Education (CPE) credits.

Instructor

Col. Bill Edwards (Ret.), U.S. Army

Colonel Bill Edwards (Ret.) is an internationally recognized Counter-UAS subject matter expert with more than 35 years of experience in operational security, counterterrorism, counterintelligence, surveillance, counter-surveillance and emergency preparedness. Following a distinguished military career, he has held senior leadership positions supporting government, law enforcement, defence and critical infrastructure organizations across North America.

Bill currently serves as Director of Counter-UAS Operations and Training at ENSCO and has previously led security consulting and public safety initiatives for several internationally recognized organizations. Throughout his career, he has supported military, homeland security and public safety operations in complex threat environments, specializing in emerging threats, layered security and Counter-UAS strategy.  A respected educator, author and speaker, Bill has published more than 120 articles on security, homeland security and drone-related topics and regularly instructs military, government and public safety personnel on Counter-UAS operations, threat assessment and security planning.

Bill is the co-author of Inside Abu Ghraib: Memoirs of Two U.S. Military Intelligence Officers, a firsthand account examining leadership, intelligence operations and security challenges during the Iraq conflict.

He is also the author of The Perimeter Has Changed: Security in the Modern Enterprise, a book that examines how evolving technologies, interconnected systems and emerging threats have fundamentally transformed the traditional security landscape. Drawing on decades of military, homeland security and private-sector experience, the book explores the need for organizations to move beyond conventional perimeter-based security models and adopt integrated approaches that address physical security, cyber security, insider threats, unmanned systems and organizational resilience. The work provides practical guidance for security professionals operating in today's increasingly complex and rapidly changing threat environment.

Why Attend?

The UAS threat environment continues to evolve at an unprecedented pace. Law enforcement agencies, correctional institutions, critical infrastructure operators and security professionals are increasingly being called upon to assess drone-related risks and develop practical response capabilities.

This course provides attendees with the foundational knowledge, planning tools and operational understanding needed to begin building or enhancing Counter-UAS capabilities within their own organizations while gaining valuable insight into the current Canadian legal and regulatory environment.

Registration Fee: $1,100 CAD

This training is available exclusively to conference attendees and is expected to be one of the premier Counter-UAS professional development opportunities available in Canada in 2027. Early registration is strongly encouraged.