Turning intent into action: inside CAFCYBERCOM’s Command Evolution Team

Turning intent into action: inside CAFCYBERCOM's Command Evolution Team

March 11, 2026 - Defence Stories

Estimated read time - 1:48

By Major Christopher Daniel, CAFCYBERCOM Senior Public Affairs Officer

Standing up a new military command is not just about creating an organizational chart. It is about building the habits, systems, and culture that allow people to deliver effects, make decisions faster, and sustain readiness. At Canadian Armed Forces Cyber Command (CAFCYBERCOM), that work is led by the Command Evolution Team (CET).

"Transformation is about people, not just systems," says Steffany Cyr, Change Advisor and CET Lead. "If processes are unclear or information is hard to find, that slows everything down. Our focus is on removing friction so teams can stay focused on the mission."

CAFCYBERCOM operates in a domain that changes by the day. From the outset, the CET was created to help the Command move from intent to action. The team reports directly to the Commander and works closely with the Deputy Commander, Directors, and senior leadership. Its role is to coordinate transformational work across the headquarters and deliver it through focused, three-month long sprint-based efforts with measurable deliverables and results.

"Our role is to turn direction into outcomes," says Andre Gendreau, Strategic Analyst and advisor to the CET. "That means translating leadership intent into processes, tools, and structures that actually help people do their jobs better."

Over the past year, the CET delivered foundational results that set the conditions for CAFCYBERCOM's long-term success. The team helped clarify how senior leaders exercise authority, make decisions, and are held accountable. They also led the work to define and secure approval for CAFCYBERCOM's target organizational structure, ensuring growth is deliberate, coherent, and aligned with operational requirements. The team was key to gaining Ministerial and CDS approved foundational documents and ensured that the organization leveraged those formal approvals to further change the organization.

The team also focused on modernizing how the headquarters operates day to day. They established battle rhythm products that support disciplined decision making and a predictable command tempo. They built core communications and identity tools, including branding materials and the CAFCYBERCOM 101 briefing deck. At the same time, the team advanced digitalization and information and knowledge management across the Command, introducing process automation and new applications to reduce administrative burden and improve information flow.

As CAFCYBERCOM moves from stand-up to acceleration, the CET is shifting its focus to what comes next. This year, the team is delivering on the Commander's priorities, supporting mental health programming, advancing training and force development initiatives, and accelerating human resources and procurement processes. They work with Directors and their staffs to assist in shaping future capabilities, including cyber incident response planning, reserve force integration concepts, and longer-term force structure design.