Cassidian: A symbol of security

An interview with Simon Jacques, director of Canadian sales

EADS Defence & Security has recently changed its name to Cassidian. What is the rationale behind this move?

Cassidian, with the most diverse portfolio in EADS, has taken the complexity out of explaining who we are and what we can offer. As a company historically rich in defence services and solutions, we have selected a new brand identity that captures our dual focus on defence and civil markets around the globe.
The new name Cassidian comes from the Latin "cassida" (helmet) and "meridian" (imaginary line running around the globe). It symbolises worldwide protection and security, thus reflecting the Cassidian claim: 'Defending World Security'. With Cassidian, we can more successfully express our goal to support those whose mission is to protect the world.

Does this mean that your main focus is now on civil security instead on military defence?

Not at all. Forces in both areas are facing similar challenges: diverse threats, diffusion scenarios, a pressing need for early warning, and an extremely precise, balanced response. This challenge can only be met by sophisticated technologies in the fields of, say, detection, identification, communication. Detection technologies, e.g. radar or infrared, are no less important to the armed forces than they are to the police, to the border guard or to civil security forces. Let’s just take the example of protecting military camps or convoys against roadside bombs in crisis areas. When we talk about security at Cassidian, we mean the safety of the civilians in the street in the same way as the protection of the soldiers in the field.

Tell us about your operations in Canada.

Our Canadian operations have reasonably grown, and will continue to mature over the coming years. As of today, in coordination with our fellow EADS divisions, we generate more than C$800M of activity annually in Canada, and directly employ roughly 700 people.

Specific to Cassidian, our mission-critical communications activity is at the heart of our Canadian operations, placing the lead North American supplier of crisis communications and emergency response solutions for public and private safety users in Gatineau, Québec. Cassidian's Gatineau facility is also home to the P25 Research & Development Centre of Excellence, which provides innovative solutions for Canadian public safety users throughout the country. As Cassidian continues to capture additional business in Canada, we look forward to advancing our local footprint even more.

Do you intend to enter into partnerships with local companies and institutions?

Of course. We are aware of the considerable technological capabilities in the region, which we would naturally like to benefit from and contribute to. Therefore, we are eager to engage in various types of partnerships, JVs and/or acquisitions, and already have longstanding partnerships with various value-added resellers in the country.

What is your track record in the region?

Cassidian is headed in the right direction in Canada and advancing our business every day. We are committed to building lasting partnerships, utilizing local Canadian resources, and investing in Canada. Our industrial partnerships span the range of target drones with Meggitt Defence Systems, to military training simulation services with NGRAIN, to a P25 partnership with Alcatel-Lucent, as well as strong partnerships on airbase surveillance radars, soldier modernization programs, and joint space surveillance activities.

Cassidian also believes in innovation and ensuring technological know-how is grown within the market. For this reason, Cassidian has partnered with the National Research Council Canada on Unmanned Air Systems (UAS) innovations and DRDC on counter laser warning solutions. Innovations made here in Canada will be offered not only to the Canadian market but sold as part of the Cassidian portfolio globally.

Due in large part to our local partnerships and corporate commitment to Canada, Cassidian has recently achieved major programmatic milestones within the market. From P25 solutions used before, during and after 2010's G8/G20 summits, to target drones sold to the Canadian Navy for use throughout the Trident Fury exercise, to the most recent DRDC at Valcartier contract award to develop innovative solutions to protect naval littoral ships, we are making progress and maturing our business in Canada.

What's in the future for Cassidian in Canada?

We will continue to provide our Canadian customers with field-tested and technologically advanced solutions for their challenges of today and tomorrow. Cassidian can uniquely provide subsystems or full turn-key solutions for a wide-range of issues such as border security, maritime surveillance, arctic surveillance, public safety interoperability, nationwide security, cyber solutions, and security of deployed forces. Ultimately, we will continue to partner with local Canadian industry, work diligently to capture future business, and become a trusted and valued partner to stakeholders throughout the country.