What is CIRA and what does it do?

Updated

CIRA is the Canadian Internet Registration Authority, the not-for-profit organization that manages the .CA domain name registry and describes itself as "Canada's internet." It handles .CA domain registration and WHOIS, sells and supports .CA domains through registrars, and also offers cybersecurity, registry, and internet performance services. If you want a .CA domain, need Canadian-focused cybersecurity services, or are looking for grants and internet measurement tools, CIRA is the organization behind them.

The .CA domain registry

CIRA's core role is running the registry for .CA, Canada's country-code top-level domain. On its site, the .CA domains section covers:

  • Choose a .CA domain and How to register — guidance for getting a .CA name.
  • WHOIS — lookup of domain registration information.
  • To Be Released (TBR) — the process for domains that are becoming available.
  • .CA success stories — examples of Canadian sites using .CA.
  • Sell .CA domains — resources for registrars and resellers.

The practical takeaway: you don't register a .CA domain directly from CIRA as an end user in most cases — you go through a registrar. CIRA is the registry underneath that system, and its site explains the process and provides the lookup and release tools.

Cybersecurity and internet performance

Beyond domains, CIRA offers cybersecurity products and services aimed at organizations:

  • XDR and MDR — extended and managed detection and response.
  • DNS Firewall — DNS-layer threat blocking.
  • Cybersecurity Awareness Training — staff training.
  • Anycast DNS and TLD Anycast — DNS and registry infrastructure services.
  • CIRA Canadian Shield — a protective DNS service, now available across Windows, macOS, iOS, and Android devices.

CIRA also organizes these by industry, including education, healthcare, municipalities, hosting/registrars/MSPs and resellers, and enterprise and SMB, and bundles offerings as the CIRA Cyber Stack. If your organization is asking "Do I need cybersecurity services?", CIRA frames its products as a way to build a safer internet for Canadians and offers a meeting to discuss fit.

Registry services for other domains

CIRA doesn't only run .CA. Its Registry services section covers a registry platform plus gTLDs (generic top-level domains) and ccTLDs (country-code top-level domains). This means other domain operators can use CIRA's registry technology rather than building their own.

Net Good and public-interest work

As a not-for-profit, CIRA runs programs that go beyond commercial services:

  • Net Good Grants — funding for projects that improve Canada's internet (you can apply for a CIRA Grant).
  • Internet Performance Test — a tool for measuring internet connection performance.
  • CIRA Canadian Shield — free protective DNS for Canadians.
  • Network resilience and policy engagement — work on internet infrastructure and public policy.

CIRA also publishes research and commentary, such as a survey finding that Canadian organizations are spending more on cybersecurity but fewer believe it's enough, and practical safety guides like "Five simple ways to stay safer online."

Membership and governance

CIRA is member-based and publishes its history, leadership, board, governance and transparency, board election, membership perks, AGM, careers, and legal, policy and compliance information. Members can participate in governance, including board elections. If you want a say in how Canada's internet registry is run, membership is the path.

Quick reference

Area What CIRA provides
Domains .CA registry, WHOIS, TBR, registrar resources
Cybersecurity XDR, MDR, DNS Firewall, awareness training, Canadian Shield
Infrastructure Anycast DNS, TLD Anycast, registry platform for gTLDs/ccTLDs
Public interest Net Good Grants, Internet Performance Test, policy work
Organization Non-profit, member-based, with published governance

When CIRA is relevant to you

  • You want a .CA domain — start with CIRA's registration guidance, then use a registrar.
  • You run an organization needing DNS or threat protection — review the cybersecurity products and industry-specific solutions.
  • You operate a TLD or registry — look at CIRA's registry platform services.
  • You have a project that improves Canada's internet — consider a Net Good Grant.
  • You want to check a domain's registration — use WHOIS.

CIRA's site is available in English and French, with Resources and Support sections for further help.