As a business owner or manager, you’re likely aware of the growing importance of cybersecurity. In today’s interconnected world, protecting your company’s data and systems has become more crucial than ever. This is particularly true in Canada, where our economic, political and technological landscape makes us an attractive target for cybercriminals. 

The digital transformation of business operations, accelerated by recent global events, has expanded the attack surface for malicious actors. As we rely more heavily on digital technologies, the potential impact of cyberattacks grows exponentially. It’s no longer a question of if your business will face a cyber threat but when. 

Current cybersecurity in Canada

Canada’s cybersecurity landscape is constantly evolving. As one of the world’s most connected countries, we face unique challenges and opportunities in protecting our digital assets. Businesses, from small startups to large corporations, are increasingly becoming targets of cyberattacks. 

Recent statistics show that cyber incidents in Canada have risen sharply over the past few years. These attacks range from data breaches and ransomware to sophisticated phishing schemes. The cost of these attacks goes beyond financial losses, often resulting in reputational damage and loss of customer trust. 

According to the Canadian Centre for Cyber Security, ransomware remains one of the most significant cyber threats facing organizations. Small and medium-sized businesses are particularly vulnerable, as they often lack the resources to implement robust cybersecurity measures. 

Another growing concern is the rise of state-sponsored cyberattacks. Canada’s position on the global stage makes it a target for foreign actors seeking to disrupt our economy or gain access to sensitive information. This adds another layer of complexity to the cybersecurity challenges faced by businesses. 

Government initiatives and regulations

Recognizing the importance of cybersecurity in Canada, the government has taken significant steps to enhance our national cyber resilience. Two key initiatives stand out: 

Canadian Centre for Cyber Security

The Canadian Centre for Cyber Security (the Cyber Centre), established in 2018, is the national cybersecurity authority. This government organization provides valuable resources and guidance to businesses and individuals, helping them navigate the complex world of cyber threats.

The Cyber Centre offers threat assessments, best practices and technical guidance to help organizations improve their cybersecurity posture. It also works closely with international partners to share information and combat global cyber threats. 

One of the Cyber Centre’s key initiatives is the Cyber Security Cooperation Program, which promotes collaboration between the public and private sectors. This program aims to strengthen cybersecurity in Canada and the country’s cyber resilience by fostering innovation and knowledge sharing. 

Personal Information Protection and Electronic Documents Act (PIPEDA)

PIPEDA is Canada’s federal privacy law for private-sector organizations. It sets out ground rules for how businesses must handle personal information in the course of their commercial activities. Compliance with PIPEDA is crucial, as it not only protects your customers but also helps safeguard your organization against data breaches.

Under PIPEDA, your organization is required to: 

• Obtain consent when collecting, using or disclosing personal information 
• Collect information by fair and lawful means 
• Have personal information policies that are clear, understandable and readily available 
• Protect personal information with appropriate security safeguards 
• Destroy personal information when it’s no longer needed for the specified purpose 

It’s worth noting that PIPEDA is currently under review, with proposed changes aimed at modernizing the law to better address current digital realities. Staying informed about these potential changes is crucial for maintaining compliance and protecting your business. 

Challenges facing Canadian businesses

Despite these initiatives, significant challenges exist for cybersecurity in Canada. Some of the key issues that businesses face include: 

• Shortage of cybersecurity professionals: Canada, like many countries, is experiencing a shortage of skilled cybersecurity professionals. This makes it difficult for businesses to build and maintain robust security teams. The competition for talent is fierce, often leaving smaller businesses at a disadvantage. 
• Evolving threat landscape: Cybercriminals are constantly developing new tactics and technologies. Keeping up with these evolving threats requires ongoing vigilance and adaptation. The rise of artificial intelligence and machine learning has introduced new vectors for attacks, while also providing new tools for defense. 
• Remote work vulnerabilities: The shift to remote work, accelerated by the COVID-19 pandemic, has created new vulnerabilities that cybercriminals are eager to exploit. Home networks and personal devices often lack the security measures found in office environments, creating potential entry points for attackers. 
• Supply chain risks: As businesses become more interconnected, vulnerabilities in one organization’s supply chain can impact many others. The 2020 SolarWinds attack demonstrated how a breach in a single vendor’s system can have far-reaching consequences across industries and borders. 
• Compliance complexities: Navigating the complex landscape of regulations and compliance requirements for cybersecurity can be challenging, especially for smaller businesses. Maintaining compliance across different jurisdictions can be daunting with regulations like PIPEDA, GDPR in Europe and various sector-specific requirements. 
• Cloud security concerns: Securing these environments becomes crucial as more businesses move their operations to the cloud. While cloud providers offer robust security measures, misconfigurations and improper access management on the client side can still lead to breaches. 
• Internet of Things (IoT) vulnerabilities: The proliferation of IoT devices in business environments introduces new security risks. These devices often lack built-in security features and can serve as entry points for attackers if not properly secured. 

12 Best practices for cybersecurity in Canada

To address these challenges and enhance your cybersecurity posture, consider implementing these best practices: 

1. Conduct regular risk assessments
   Regularly assess your organization’s cybersecurity risks. This involves identifying your critical assets, potential threats and existing vulnerabilities. Use this information to prioritize your cybersecurity efforts and allocate resources effectively. Consider using frameworks like the NIST Cybersecurity Framework or the CIS Controls to guide your assessments.
2. Implement strong access controls
   Use strong authentication methods, such as multi-factor authentication, to protect your systems and data. Implement the principle of least privilege, ensuring employees only have access to the resources necessary for their roles. Regularly review and update access permissions, especially when employees change roles or leave the organization.
3. Keep systems and software up to date
   Regularly update your systems, applications and security software. These updates often include critical security patches that protect against newly discovered vulnerabilities. Implement a patch management process to ensure timely application of updates across your organization.

4. Educate your employees
   

   Your employees are your first line of defense against cyberattacks. Provide regular cybersecurity training to help them recognize and respond to potential threats. This should include education on phishing, social engineering and safe online practices. Consider conducting simulated phishing exercises to test and reinforce employee awareness.
   

5. Develop and test an incident response plan
   

   Create a comprehensive incident response plan that outlines how your organization will detect, respond to and recover from cyber incidents. Regularly test and update this plan to ensure its effectiveness. Include clear roles and responsibilities, communication protocols and steps for containment, eradication and recovery.

6. Encrypt sensitive data
   Use strong encryption to protect sensitive data, both in transit and at rest. This adds an extra layer of protection, making it more difficult for cybercriminals to access your information even if they manage to breach your systems. Consider implementing end-to-end encryption for sensitive communications for more effective cybersecurity in Canada.
7. Implement network segmentation
   Divide your network into separate segments or subnetworks. This can help contain potential breaches and limit the damage if one part of your network is compromised. Use firewalls and access controls to manage traffic between different network segments.
8. Regularly backup your data
   Implement a robust backup strategy and regularly back up your critical data and systems. Store backups securely, preferably off-site or in the cloud, and test your restoration processes periodically. Consider implementing the 3-2-1 backup rule: maintain three copies of your data, on two different storage types, with one copy stored off-site.
9. Monitor your systems continuously
   Implement continuous monitoring of your systems and networks. This can help you quickly detect and respond to potential threats, minimizing the impact of cyber incidents. Consider using Security Information and Event Management (SIEM) tools to centralize and analyze security data from across your organization.
10. Work with trusted partners
    Consider partnering with cybersecurity experts who can provide specialized knowledge and resources to enhance your security posture. These partners can offer valuable insights into emerging threats to cybersecurity in Canada and help you implement best practices tailored to your industry and specific needs.
11. Secure your remote workforce
    As remote work becomes more common, implement measures to secure your remote workforce. This may include providing VPN access, securing home Wi-Fi networks and implementing mobile device management solutions. Educate remote workers on best practices for maintaining security outside the office environment.
12. Implement a zero-trust security model
    Consider adopting a zero-trust security model, which operates on the principle of “never trust, always verify.” This approach requires all users, whether inside or outside the organization’s network, to be authenticated, authorized and continuously validated before being granted access to applications and data.

How BPM can help

As cyber threats continue to evolve and grow more sophisticated, Canadian businesses must stay vigilant and proactive in their cybersecurity efforts. Take the time to assess your current cybersecurity measures and consider where enhancements may be needed. Remember, cybersecurity is not a one-time effort but an ongoing process that requires continuous attention and adaptation. The task may seem daunting, but you don’t have to face it alone. 

BPM offers guidance on cybersecurity strategies tailored to your business.  We can help ensure your business remains compliant with regulations like PIPEDA while implementing robust protection against evolving threats. By working with BPM, you can tap into a wealth of knowledge and experience. Our team can assist you in developing a comprehensive cybersecurity strategy, conducting risk assessments and implementing best practices that align with your business goals. To find out more, contact us.