Securing your business in the age of AI: Cybersecurity tips for Canadian Companies

The reliance Canadian businesses have on AI is increasing, as is the trend around the world. While artificial intelligence indeed contributes to facilitating our everyday lives, it also opens the doors to inherent cybersecurity risks. When business cybersecurity best practices are implemented, organisations can effectively safeguard sensitive data and critical information. There are many threats out there, including ransomware and dreaded malware, so heightened security is important.

Impact of AI on cybersecurity landscape

Better threat detection

While AI potentially increases the opportunity for cyber threats, it can also enhance detection capabilities. Traditional cybersecurity systems rely on algorithms and set rules to detect threats. Unfortunately, these systems tend to fail when new or more sophisticated attacks come along. AI combats this using machine learning to adapt and respond to new threats with real-time analysis.

Automated security processes

Automation is a major attraction of AI, and security processes can also be automated. AI can monitor network traffic, manage access controls, and scan for vulnerabilities within your system. Compared to human labour, AI automation reduces the chances of errors and speeds up processes. This way, IT and security teams can focus their energy on more pressing matters such as incident responses.

Prediction

Predictive analysis with AI is something that can help with data protection for Canadian companies. AI inspects and examines historical data to predict future potential threats. This allows businesses to identify and prevent cyber attacks before they happen. 

Threat intelligence

AI plays a crucial part in efficient data gathering, but it is also a critical tool in analysing threat intelligence. AI provides businesses with indispensable data on the latest cyber attacks and techniques. 

Information sharing

AI cybersecurity strategies include automating the process of collecting and spreading threat intelligence promptly. Information sharing to protect against cyber threats can help Canadian companies take a collaborative approach to adopt best practices. 

Cybersecurity Best Practices 

Implementing robust cybersecurity policies and procedures 

The cybersecurity tips in Canada don’t differ much from the rest of the world, and here are the key strategies to start with.

Developing a cybersecurity policy

Businesses in Canada should start by developing a cybersecurity policy fit for their company culture and industry. A comprehensive policy should have your company’s digital assets in mind. Think about the data protection protocols, what is considered an acceptable use of tools and technology within your business, and appropriate threat responses. 

Having clearly laid out protocols will help employees understand their role in maintaining cybersecurity and make your company more secure. 

Regular updates and patches

Implementing cybersecurity measures is not a one-time thing. Your security network requires regular updates and patches to make sure it has the latest protection. Having outdated software exposes vulnerabilities cyberattackers can easily take advantage of to gain unauthorised access. Patches can also help close security gaps and updates can be automated with AI systems to streamline security. 

Implement MFA

Another surefire way to enhance your company's security is by using multi-factor authentication (MFA). It adds an extra layer of safety by asking users to verify their identity with forms of ID. Biometric verification, passwords and security tokens can be used for MFA. Adding multi-factor authentication reduces the risk of unauthorised access.

Security audits

Routine security audits are crucial to ensure your company’s IT infrastructure is up to par. Run regular audits to identify any vulnerabilities and prevent cyber attacks from penetrating your firewall. These audits are a great way to stay ahead of cybercriminals and keep your company safe. 

Data encryption

Data encryption is a common way to secure sensitive data. Even if cyberattackers manage to intercept information, it still remains safely encrypted and secure. Encryption should be implemented for stored data and data being transferred over networks. This practice is essential for securing your company, employee and customer info. 

AI-powered Security Solutions

AI technology can significantly enhance and protect businesses against cybersecurity threats. Companies with AI tools can even guard against evolving threats to improve infrastructure.

How AI technology can enhance cybersecurity measures 

Auto-detection and response

AI-driven systems rely heavily on real-time security detection and response. These features are also what keep your systems safe before any real harm is done. Artificial intelligence has the ability and speed to process large volumes of data to find abnormalities and pinpoint cybersecurity risks.

The machine learning algorithms and fresh data provide AI with learning capabilities to adjust to new and emerging threats. Once a threat has been detected, AI can launch countermeasures in an effort to contain the attacks and notify relevant personnel. These abilities can greatly minimise the damage done to businesses.

Predictive analysis

The purpose of predictive analysis is to eliminate threats before they even happen. By studying past data and trends, AI can foresee future possible security vulnerabilities. The data is gathered from various sources and through this, businesses can implement and reinforce their defences against future attacks.

Examples of AI tools and solutions for threat detection and prevention

HP EliteBook 845 14-inch G10 Notebook PC Wolf Pro Security Edition

The HP Elitebook 845 G10 notebook PC is a powerful laptop computer that runs on Windows 11 Pro and is protected by HP Wolf Pro Security. The system is also interlaced with HP Sure Click Pro and HP Sure Sense Pro to increase protection. Also, with the addition of HP Sure Run, HP Sure Erase and HP Sure Admin among other features, the HP EliteBook 845 G10 will elevate your company’s safety parameters.

Pros

• HP suite of security tools

• Powerful AMD Ryzen™ 5 PRO 7540U processor

• Sustainably-sourced outside packaging

• Fast and efficient LAN

HP ProBook 440 14-inch G10 Notebook PC Wolf Pro Security Edition

If you have a little more to invest, the HP ProBook 440 G10 notebook PC is our next recommendation. Equipped with the Intel® Core™ i7 1355U (13th Generation) processor and a large 14-inch touch screen display, the HP ProBook 440 G10 is easy to navigate. The backlit keyboard and the fingerprint reader make things easy to see in the dark and protect your computer from unwanted access. The laptop is also equipped with HP’s suite of protection tools to safeguard your data.

Pros

• Passed 19 MIL-STD tests for durability

• HP BIOSphere Gen6 firmware ecosystem

• Compact profile

• Large touch screen

HP ZBook Studio 16 inch G10 Mobile Workstation PC Wolf Pro Security Edition

For those who spare no cost on security, the HP ZBook Studio G10 mobile workstation is our top suggestion. Also running on Windows 11 Pro with an Intel Core i7 13700H (13th Generation) processor, the HP ZBook Studio G10 also has an NVIDIA® RTX™ A1000 chip for smooth graphics. Great for memory-intensive tasks and gaming, the laptop is also protected by our suite of security management tools that include HP Wolf Pro, HP Sure Admin and HP Power On Authentication.

Pros

• Powerful CPU

• HP Fast Charge

• Industry-leading security features

• HP Z Turbo Drive high-speed storage

Dangers of Failing to Protect Your Business from cyber threats

Data breaches

Data breaches are one of the most common risks of not protecting your business. This can expose sensitive company, employee and client information which can lead to a loss of trust within your company. Not to mention the potential financial losses and legal penalties for the failure to guarantee the safety of important data.

Operation downtime  

The time it takes to identify and recover from cyber attacks can disrupt your daily operations. Businesses that suffer from significant downtime could see an impact on their bottom line and customer satisfaction. This disruption could also add to overall cost and resources in order to prevent further attacks.

Reputation damage

You really only have one chance at building a good reputation, which is arguably a business’s most valuable asset. When your customers’ trust is lost, it will take great effort and a lot of time to rebuild a damaged reputation. It could also potentially be something a brand doesn’t recover from, so never losing the trust and confidence customers have in your business is key.

Intellectual property theft

Lastly, intellectual property (IP) theft is a competitive advantage that includes such things as trade secrets and confidential plans and designs. When cyber attackers steal your IP, it could give your competitors a chance to recreate a product, improve on it, and steal your distinctive value proposition. To keep your place in the market, a company must invest funds in digital security. 

Conclusion

Failing to safeguard your business against online threats can lead to severe repercussions, some of which cannot be rectified. Canadian companies should leverage AI security features in technology infrastructure to reduce online threats. Best practices to implement include frequent system updates and patches, employee education and advanced threat detection.