Jason Grimbeek
CEO, Iron Spear
It has never been more important for Canadian businesses to understand the risks of cyberattacks and how to mitigate them.
Cyberattacks on Canadian businesses are on the rise, so much so that it’s not a question of if, but rather when a business will be hit. It can cost impacted companies millions of dollars, not to mention reputational damage. This is why understanding the risk and tapping into the right expertise to help identify mitigation strategies in advance is critically important. We spoke to Jason Grimbeek, CEO of Iron Spear, a Canadian-owned full-service cybersecurity company, for his assessment of what executives need to do to protect their businesses.
How big of a problem is cybercrime?
It’s a huge issue, and with advances in artificial intelligence (AI) and ever-evolving technology, it’s becoming even more of a problem. The sophistication of phishing schemes and AI-driven deepfake criminal activity creates security complexities for organizations.
Are Canadian businesses a target for cybercriminals?
Yes. Our integration into the North American supply chain makes us a prime target. Cyber ransom — where criminals steal data or intellectual property and demand payment — is on the rise. Many businesses underestimate their exposure because of Canada’s size, but that’s a mistake.
What should businesses consider when it comes to cybersecurity?
There’s more to it than just defence and offensive testing for vulnerabilities. Executives need to lead the charge by prioritizing cyber governance, policy development, and cyber maturity — understanding where the organization stands and where it needs to be. Leadership must drive a culture of cybersecurity.
How cybersecurity-ready are Canadian businesses?
We’re lagging our European and U.S. counterparts because the Canadian government has been slow to introduce cybersecurity regulatory controls. Despite this, businesses need to be proactive and shore up their systems.
What is something more organizations can do to protect themselves?
Cyber resilience is becoming a big focus. Successful organizations are the ones that develop business continuity and disaster response plans. People often struggle with business recovery following a cyberattack because they underestimate the cost of lost productivity until they’re hit.
What is the Iron Spear advantage?
We’re technology independent, which gives us an unbiased view. We work as partners, not vendors. Our team of 25 consultants across Canada brings over a decade of experience. We focus on understanding each business and identifying strategies to mitigate risk.
Learn how Iron Spear can help protect your business at ironspear.ca.
