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Critical Infrastructure Awareness Course 2026

This course is for security guards who protect utilities, energy sites, water plants, telecom buildings, transportation hubs and other critical infrastructure. It explains what critical infrastructure is, the threats it faces, how to spot and report suspicious activity, and how to protect access and information.

  • Security course
  • Canada
  • 25 questions
  • Checked October 11, 2026

Quick answer

This free course has about 25 minutes of lessons and a 25-question test. Score 80% or more to download a certificate of completion (private, not accredited). Checked against official sources on October 11, 2026.

Start with the lessonsCritical Infrastructure Awareness Course: Lessons: about 25 minutes of reading. Every test question is covered in the lessons.

What you will learn

  • Define critical infrastructure and name Canada's ten sectors
  • Explain how a disruption in one sector can affect others
  • Recognize surveillance, probing and testing behaviour
  • Resist social engineering and protect site access and information
  • Report incidents to the right place: 911, local police, the NSIN or the Cyber Centre

Score 80% or more to download your certificate.

  1. Question 1 of 25

    How does Canada's National Strategy for Critical Infrastructure describe critical infrastructure?
    Show answer

    Answer: C. Systems, assets and services essential to the health, safety, security or economic well-being of Canadians

    The National Strategy defines critical infrastructure as processes, systems, facilities, technologies, networks, assets and services essential to Canadians' health, safety, security or economic well-being.

  2. Question 2 of 25

    How many critical infrastructure sectors does Canada's National Strategy list?
    Show answer

    Answer: B. 10

    Canada's National Strategy lists ten sectors, from energy and utilities to manufacturing.

  3. Question 3 of 25

    Which of these is one of Canada's ten critical infrastructure sectors?
    Show answer

    Answer: A. Water

    The ten sectors are energy and utilities, finance, food, transportation, government, information and communication technology, health, water, safety and manufacturing.

  4. Question 4 of 25

    Under the National Strategy, who has the primary responsibility for protecting critical infrastructure assets?
    Show answer

    Answer: C. The owners and operators

    Responsibility is shared among governments, but owners and operators bear the primary responsibility for protecting their own assets and services.

  5. Question 5 of 25

    A power failure shuts down a water treatment plant and a cell tower. What idea does this show?
    Show answer

    Answer: C. Interdependency: a disruption in one sector can cascade into others

    The National Strategy stresses that critical infrastructure is interconnected, so problems can cascade across sectors and borders.

  6. Question 6 of 25

    An 'all-hazards' approach to critical infrastructure considers which kinds of hazards?
    Show answer

    Answer: B. Accidental, intentional and natural hazards

    The National Strategy calls for all-hazards risk analysis that covers accidental, intentional and natural hazards.

  7. Question 7 of 25

    Which behaviour near a facility is a possible sign of surveillance?
    Show answer

    Answer: A. Filming or photographing security cameras and gates where that is not normal

    Transport Canada lists photographing or filming where it is not normal, note-taking, drawing and taking measurements as surveillance indicators.

  8. Question 8 of 25

    A stranger asks a guard what time shifts change and where the cameras do not reach. What kind of indicator is this?
    Show answer

    Answer: C. Probing for information about security

    Asking staff about procedures, schedules, structures or security systems is listed as a probing indicator.

  9. Question 9 of 25

    Someone sets off a fence alarm, then watches from a distance to see how long the response takes. What is this a sign of?
    Show answer

    Answer: B. Testing the security response

    Probing or observing emergency and security responses is listed as a testing indicator.

  10. Question 10 of 25

    What does the RCMP say about a single suspicious indicator?
    Show answer

    Answer: D. One indicator does not necessarily mean crime; the likelihood rises with more indicators, considered in context

    The RCMP notes that one indicator alone does not prove criminal activity. Look at the whole picture and report what you see.

  11. Question 11 of 25

    What should a guard base suspicion on?
    Show answer

    Answer: A. What a person does, such as their behaviour and actions

    Suspicious activity is about behaviour, not who someone is. Judging people by race, religion or appearance is unfair and misses real threats.

  12. Question 12 of 25

    You see someone cutting the fence of a substation right now. What number do you call?
    Show answer

    Answer: D. 911

    The RCMP says to call 911 or local police for any immediate threat.

  13. Question 13 of 25

    What is the RCMP National Security Information Network (NSIN) number for non-urgent national security information?
    Show answer

    Answer: B. 1-800-420-5805

    The NSIN takes non-urgent information about national security and terrorism at 1-800-420-5805. Immediate threats go to 911.

  14. Question 14 of 25

    A guard sees graffiti and minor vandalism on a utility building with no sign of a security threat. Who should get the report?
    Show answer

    Answer: C. The supervisor and local police, following site procedure

    NSIN only handles national security and terrorism. For other crimes and concerns, report to your supervisor and local police.

  15. Question 15 of 25

    Which details belong in a suspicious activity report?
    Show answer

    Answer: D. Date and time, location, a description of the activity, actions taken and who else was told

    Transport Canada lists date and time, location, description, actions taken and who else was informed as key details.

  16. Question 16 of 25

    Which loss should be reported right away at a critical infrastructure site?
    Show answer

    Answer: C. A lost or stolen ID badge, key or uniform

    The RCMP lists theft or loss of uniforms, keys or ID as a security breach indicator. Someone could use them to get in.

  17. Question 17 of 25

    A person without a badge tries to follow an employee through a secure door. What should the guard do?
    Show answer

    Answer: B. Politely stop them and ask them to badge in or check in as a visitor

    Following someone through a secure door without using your own access, called tailgating, defeats access control. Every person should be verified.

  18. Question 18 of 25

    In social engineering, what does 'pretexting' mean?
    Show answer

    Answer: B. Making up a believable story to get someone to share information or access

    The Canadian Centre for Cyber Security describes pretexting as a fabricated scenario used to build trust and get information or access.

  19. Question 19 of 25

    You get an email that looks like it is from IT, asking you to log in through a link to 'keep your account'. What should you do?
    Show answer

    Answer: D. Do not click or reply; save it and report it to IT or security

    The Cyber Centre advises not replying, saving the message and telling your IT or security team right away.

  20. Question 20 of 25

    A caller says they are a manager and urgently asks for the alarm code. What is the safest response?
    Show answer

    Answer: D. Verify the request through a separate, trusted channel, such as calling a known number

    The Cyber Centre advises verifying requests through a separate, trusted channel. Urgency is a common social engineering trick.

  21. Question 21 of 25

    Where can organizations in Canada report a cyber incident?
    Show answer

    Answer: B. The Canadian Centre for Cyber Security

    The Canadian Centre for Cyber Security takes cyber incident reports through its website.

  22. Question 22 of 25

    Unless following an established Transport Canada procedure, how far from a certified airport must most drone pilots stay?
    Show answer

    Answer: A. 5.6 km (3 nautical miles)

    Transport Canada says to stay at least 5.6 km from certified airports and 1.9 km from certified heliports unless following an established procedure.

  23. Question 23 of 25

    Under Alberta's Critical Infrastructure Defence Act, what is an offence?
    Show answer

    Answer: A. Wilfully entering, damaging or interfering with essential infrastructure without lawful right, justification or excuse

    The Act creates offences for wilful entry, damage and interference with essential infrastructure, such as pipelines, power plants, railways and highways.

  24. Question 24 of 25

    A peaceful group protests on a public sidewalk outside a facility. What should the guard do?
    Show answer

    Answer: A. Observe, keep notes, stay professional and call police if anyone breaks the law or tries to enter

    The Charter protects freedom of peaceful assembly and expression. Guards protect the site, not opinions, and leave law enforcement to police.

  25. Question 25 of 25

    On patrol you find copper wire stolen from a substation and cables hanging loose. What should you do?
    Show answer

    Answer: C. Stay well back, at least 10 metres from fallen lines, and call 911 or the utility

    Damaged electrical equipment can still be live. Utilities advise staying at least 10 metres from downed lines and calling 911 or the utility.

What to know before the test

  • Canada's National Strategy for Critical Infrastructure lists ten sectors: energy and utilities, finance, food, transportation, government, information and communication technology, health, water, safety and manufacturing.
  • Owners and operators bear the primary responsibility for protecting their critical infrastructure assets and services.
  • Call 911 for an immediate threat. The RCMP National Security Information Network takes non-urgent national security information at 1-800-420-5805.
  • One suspicious indicator does not prove a crime; the likelihood rises with the number of indicators, considered in context.
  • Alberta's Critical Infrastructure Defence Act makes it an offence to wilfully enter, damage or interfere with essential infrastructure without lawful right.

Frequently asked questions

What counts as critical infrastructure?

Systems, assets and services that Canadians depend on for health, safety, security and the economy, such as power, water, food, transportation, banking, health care and telecommunications.

When should I call the RCMP National Security Information Network instead of 911?

Call 911 for anything happening now or any immediate threat. Use the NSIN, 1-800-420-5805, for non-urgent information about possible terrorism or national security threats. Other crimes go to local police.

Can I stop people from taking photos of my site?

People on public property can generally take photos. If filming seems unusual, such as focusing on cameras, gates or guard routines, note the details and report it. Do not seize cameras or phones.

Is there a special law for critical infrastructure in my province?

Alberta has the Critical Infrastructure Defence Act. In other provinces, trespass laws and the Criminal Code apply. Your employer's post orders will explain the rules for your site.

Is the certificate accredited or officially recognised?

No. It is a private certificate of completion for knowledge only. It is not recognised, accredited or approved by any government, licensing body, regulator or educational institution, and it does not replace the security licence training required in your province or territory.

Sources

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