A Timmins company is the first in Northern Ontario to achieve “cybersecure status” under a nationally recognized program.
Timmins Mechanical Solutions has received its CyberSecure Canada certification, one of only 20 companies in the country to do so.
An initiative of the federal government, the certification process recognizes small and medium organizations that have put into place cyber secure systems and risk management protocols in order to keep their online activities secure.
The company, which services heavy-duty equipment for the mining industry, said having these systems in place is “imperative for a company's survival among the internet of things.”
“We are extremely pleased that we were able to achieve this designation, and primarily become the first company here in Northern Ontario to have our cyber security,” stated Eddy Lamontagne, vice-president at Timmins Mechanical Solutions, in a Jan. 11 news release.
“There isn’t a better feeling right now, knowing that our company’s assets are and will be secure for years to come. The process, albeit lengthy, was an eye-opening experience to mitigate the risk of cyber breaches, something that managers rarely think about and leave to their IT departments or IT service providers.”
In working toward the designation, the company worked closely with the Northern Ontario Defence Readiness Program (NODRP), Ontario’s North Economic Development Corporation (ONEDC), and Watsec Cyber Risk Management.
"By working diligently towards gaining the CyberSecure Canada certification, Timmins Mechanical has set itself apart from many of its peers,” said Doug Blakey, CEO of Watsec Cyber Risk Management, in the release.
“Through systematic review of policies and procedures, combined with the effective implementation of existing technology, business partners will now have confidence that information shared is handled with the appropriate level of care."
