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Montréal, October 1, 2024 – As part of Cybersecurity Awareness Month, VARS, Raymond Chabot Grant Thornton’s Cybersecurity division, would like to remind you that no organization is fully protected from cyberattacks, but it can improve its position regarding such risks by implementing a formal security plan, which includes sophisticated detection tools and monitoring measures.
Information security must indeed be managed alongside an organization’s other risks (financial, administrative, supply, etc.). Information is crucial for any of its operational procedures, as cybercriminals know too well. As Guillaume Caron, CEO of VARS noted, “We must nevertheless recognize that too many businesses delay in acquiring security services managed by a provider such as VARS, which include a cybersecurity risk management plan. Being able to have remote access to a Chief Information Security Officer also is of utmost importance, because the cost of hiring such a person would be prohibitive for a small business. Furthermore, information security is still too often relegated to a sub-responsibility of the information technology department. It therefore remains underrepresented, under-prioritized and underfunded, or even non-performing, in some organizations.”
Security: one aspect of measuring performance
An organization’s security plan helps to determine its overall strategy. From risk analysis to business continuity in the event of a cyberattack, this plan takes into consideration legal and contractual requirements as well as performance objectives. The document will be regularly revised to ensure it remains relevant.
Furthermore, it is imperative for organizations to have access to more than just sophisticated cybersecurity technological tools (24/7 systems monitoring), but also to security controls, in the form of performance indicators that can assess and adapt, as needed, the company’s security plan. “All these elements, which comply with industry regulations and norms, contribute to reassuring the stakeholders and improving the organization’s resilience,” added Caron.
A robust security posture: a cure to many problems
The estimated global cost of cybercrime reached US$9.2 trillion in 2024, while this year’s gross global GDP is around US$109,5 trillion. The staggering costs of cybercrime, which already represent almost 10% of the world’s GDP, show no signs of decreasing. For SMEs, any intrusion, attack or error on the part of employees (as a result of phishing, for example) can clearly generate devastating consequences for the whole organization at several or all of the following levels: disruption in operations, loss of operational data, disclosure of sensitive data, attack vector, reputational risks and loss of control over the organization.
The current geopolitical turmoil, in conjunction with the ever-greater sophistication of cyberattacks, forces local businesses to adopt a robust security posture.
A free and personalized monthly cybersecurity report for our clients
VARS, which now provides support to SMEs throughout Canada, is proud to have launched in August 2024 its monthly cybersecurity report, tailored to each client. In the form of a monthly bulletin, this personalized summary enables every business manager to have access to a clear and concise overview of the threats intercepted by the VARS solutions and its managed security services. It also provides insights into performance results and gaps in security that need addressing.
“The time has come to recognize that cybersecurity is no longer a matter of choice for our SMEs. It is now an unavoidable requirement to allow them to secure their most valuable assets, including data, reassure stakeholders and comply with several security regulations and standards. By collaborating with managed security services, they can save both time and resources, receive support throughout their transformation and optimize the risk prevention efforts undertaken by business managers. This ensures that they stay in control of their organization!” concluded the CEO of Vars.
About Raymond Chabot Grant Thornton and VARS
VARS, a division of Raymond Chabot Grant Thornton, selects, integrates and manages award-winning, innovative, cybersecurity solutions that can be quickly deployed into corporations of all sizes all across North America. At the forefront of the information security industry, it offers an integrated and tailored approach to protect an organization against data theft and increasingly sophisticated cyberattacks. Since 2022, VARS is the Fédération québécoise des municipalités’ (FQM) exclusive supplier, providing support regarding cybersecurity.
Raymond Chabot Grant Thornton is a professional services firm dedicated to the success of organizations and their leaders since 1948. The firm’s advisors are committed to helping clients thrive by obtaining a deep understanding of what is important to them, their business and their industry. This knowledge, combined with a team of motivated and talented professionals help accelerate growth. A Quebec and Canadian leader in the areas of assurance, tax, advisory services and business recovery and reorganization, Raymond Chabot Grant Thornton boasts more than 2,900 professionals, including approximately 200 partners, working in over 100 offices across the province of Quebec and in the Ottawa and Edmundston regions.
Together with Grant Thornton LLP, another Canadian firm, and the global Grant Thornton organization, our footprint spans across more than 150 countries with over 73,000 people who provide real insight, a fresh perspective and agility to keep clients moving ahead.
For more information: Gaëlle Fontaine
Consultant, Communications and Public Affairs
Raymond Chabot Grant Thornton
Telephone: 438 349-0842
Email: [email protected]