This is the second in a series featuring insights from Booker Zaytsoff, Director of Professional Services at Accurate Network Services. In his first post, he shared how smart cybersecurity systems and strong tooling help organizations stay secure. Now, he’s turning his attention to the rising bar for cybersecurity compliance and what leaders can do to stay ahead.
For years, Canada has lagged behind other jurisdictions on cybersecurity. Requirements have been lighter, enforcement has been sporadic, and compliance often felt like a concern only for the largest organizations. That’s beginning to change.
“Canada has been a regulatory ‘dead zone’ compared with the rest of the world,” says Booker Zaytsoff, Director of Professional Services at Accurate Network Services. But recent legislative efforts make one thing clear: stronger practices for data protection and cybersecurity will soon be table stakes for doing business.
“If there’s a data breach now, there isn’t really an impact to businesses,” Zaytoff says. “But there will be soon and it will hit organizations right in the pocketbook.”
The key is to understand the fundamentals now. Doing so will leave your organization better equipped to adapt as expectations rise.
Compliance foundations: What you’re already doing right
Your organization already has privacy and cybersecurity responsibilities that stem from a mix of federal and provincial laws, including:
- The Personal Information Protection and Electronic Documents Act (PIPEDA)
A federal law requiring you to safeguard personal information, report breaches with a real risk of significant harm, and retain records for at least two years.
- The Personal Information Protection Act (PIPA)
Alberta’s law for private-sector data collection and disclosure, including mandatory breach reporting where there’s risk of harm.
- The Health Information Act (HIA)
Applies to Alberta health custodians like clinics and counselling centres, with stricter privacy and reporting obligations.
- Canada’s Anti-Spam Legislation (CASL)
Applies to all commercial electronic messages. Requires consent, clear sender ID, and easy opt-outs.
For many organizations, these laws have existed more on paper than in practice. But that’s starting to shift.
“Cybersecurity used to be simple,” says Zaytsoff. “You’d buy a server, back things up, and you were good. Now, it’s about people, processes, and technology. Compliance isn’t just a technical checklist, it’s a business investment.”
Most Canadian organizations are already expected to:
- Designate someone responsible for privacy and ensure staff are trained appropriately
- Get informed consent before collecting or sharing personal data, and explain why
- Only collect and keep what’s necessary, keep it accurate, and communicate policies clearly
- Protect personal data using reasonable protections such as passwords, encryption, and secure networks—and make sure your vendors do the same
- Have a breach response plan, notify regulators and affected parties promptly, and keep records for at least two years
- Follow anti-spam laws when emailing or messaging
If your organization is doing these things, you’re in a strong starting position. Now is the time to strengthen your practices and stay ahead of evolving regulations.
How Bill C-8 will raise the bar for everyone
Canada’s existing privacy laws were built for a different digital world. As cyber threats grow more sophisticated and digital systems become more critical to our economy, government expectations are evolving.
“This isn’t just about protecting personal data anymore,” says Zaytsoff. “The government now treats cybersecurity like a national security and economic stability issue. That means more oversight, mandatory reporting, and real consequences for non-compliance.”
Several cybersecurity bills have been introduced in recent years. Some stalled, others evolved—but the direction is clear. The bar is rising.
The federal government’s 2025 National Cyber Security Strategy sets the tone. It calls for a whole-of-society approach—one where governments, businesses, communities, and individuals all have a role to play. It also promises agile leadership, favouring smaller, responsive action plans instead of sweeping, one-time reforms.
The strategy is built around three pillars:
- Protect Canadians and Canadian businesses by strengthening defences
- Position Canada as a global leader in cybersecurity innovation and talent
- Detect and disrupt cyber threats faster and more effectively
In that context, Bill C-8 is the latest legislation to reach the House of Commons. It targets federally regulated infrastructure sectors like finance, telecom, and energy—but it sets a precedent. Bill C-8’s cybersecurity requirements call for proactive security programs, mandatory incident reporting, and tighter vendor oversight.
Meanwhile, provinces like Quebec, Ontario, Alberta, and B.C. are developing their own rules—creating a patchwork of compliance obligations for companies that do business there.
“There’s no one-size-fits-all anymore,” says Zaytsoff. “Organizations will need to understand what applies to them—and start building the internal muscle to keep up.” Incorporating best practices now can make future compliance a lot less stressful.
Turning compliance into everyday practice
As expectations rise, compliance can’t be something you only think about after a breach. It needs to become part of how your team works, day to day.
Here’s how to build on what you already have in place
- Level up your documentation. Go beyond breach logs and consent forms. Track policies, training, risk assessments, and vendor agreements—so you’re ready when someone asks for proof.
- Shift from basic training to a culture of security. Build habits around best practices such as multifactor authentication, secure messaging, and regular software updates.
- Involve the leadership team early. Risk oversight shouldn’t live solely with IT. Treat cybersecurity like the financial and legal risk it is with strategic, ongoing, and organization-wide action.
- Tighten vendor accountability. Don’t just choose your vendors carefully. Ask better questions, verify their practices, and document their answers.
- Think long-term. Stronger security takes time and investment, but it builds trust, protects operations, and makes audits less painful.
- Consider adopting a cybersecurity framework. A clear framework gives your team structure, helping you manage risk, meet regulatory requirements, and respond to incidents more effectively. If you want to go further, getting certified by an accredited body can make audits easier and show your clients you take security seriously.
“Smaller organizations often find it easier to implement cybersecurity controls,” says Zaytsoff. “They’re used to working closely and moving fast. What’s usually missing isn’t capacity, it’s a roadmap.”
It’s time to get your cybersecurity under compliance
There is no longer a one-time cybersecurity compliance checklist. It’s an ongoing responsibility that affects every part of your organization. This is your opportunity to revisit what’s working, shore up weak spots, and prepare for the next wave of requirements before they become urgent.
The right partner can help you stay ahead of Canada’s new regulations, reduce complexity, and build confidence that your operations, and reputation, are protected.
Wondering what cybersecurity compliance means for your organization? Let’s talk about where you’re at today and how we can help you move forward with a clear, manageable plan.
