EMC Helps Canadian Manufacturers Address Growing Cybersecurity Concerns

Cyber Security

Nov 1, 2018

Excellence in Manufacturing Consortium (EMC), a not-for-profit organization and Canada’s largest manufacturing consortium, has launched a new program to help small and medium-sized manufacturing facilities address the growing need for cybersecurity resources.

In 2017, 28% of medium sized and 19% of small businesses in Canada experienced cyber incidents, resulting in an average of 24 and 22 hours of downtime respectively. The average cost of a cyber breach in Canada was $6.11 million in 2017. 

In partnership with N-Dimension Solutions, a cybersecurity technology provider for critical infrastructure, the EMC Secure program will immediately enable over 13,000 active consortium members with access to the N-Sentinel cybersecurity technology platform and solutions designed to help avert costly cyber intrusions that can cripple a business.

“Cybersecurity has become an increasingly important issue for our manufacturers,” says Al Diggins, Chairman of the Board of Directors, EMC. “The resources and solutions which N-Dimension is providing fill a critical need which our members have been seeking, providing cybersecurity visibility, intelligence and remediation guidance. Their proven experience within both industry and energy sectors, as well as a deep cybersecurity expertise, fulfill the growing need to protect and strengthen both IT and industrial networks.”

For many small and medium-sized manufacturers, the importance of cybersecurity is not fully understood until it touches their business directly. With the increasing use of automation, advanced manufacturing processes and IOT connecting industry with both customer and supply chains, EMC believes manufacturers cannot afford to remain unprotected. With this program, EMC’s efforts with N-Dimension is placing greater emphasis on cyber vigilance.

Launched in 2015, the N-Sentinel cybersecurity technology platform has been installed in a number of critical infrastructure sectors including electric utilities, water utilities and manufacturing. EMC will expand the availability of N-Sentinel throughout Canada and enable manufacturers to effectively address their cybersecurity risks and challenges.

“Manufacturers across Canada (and globally) are more connected today than ever before,” says EMC President Shawn Casemore,. “With data from ERP systems and equipment being held in the cloud, and the continued growth of online commerce and advanced technologies, our members are highly vulnerable. The EMC Secure program provides our members the protection and support they deserve to avoid disruption and risks to their businesses.”

As part of the program launch, EMC and N-Dimension have arranged for member manufacturers to test-drive the platform for 60 days, at no cost. The program is available in all provinces and territories, coast-to-coast-to-coast. Stay tuned in the coming weeks, for details on webinars, information briefings and new cybersecurity networking events for EMC members.

Find out more: www.emccanada.org/emcsecure

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