As SME managers, you face many priorities: growth, recruitment, profitability, efficiency, etc. Adding cybersecurity to the agenda often seems like one too many.   

However, in this article, we propose a shift in perspective. By shifting cybersecurity from a technical constraint to a strategic lever, it can become a powerful tool for mobilization.

Let's go ahead and explain. Based on our experience with clients who utilize prevention and optimization tools, we see a clear improvement in bringing together internal and external stakeholders around a common goal: ensuring sustainable, resilient, and trustworthy growth.  

Our experts are unanimous on one point: SMEs are at the greatest risk because they often lack the necessary resources to protect themselves. Whether it is material or financial resources, or simply people capable of making informed security decisions, these shortcomings hinder the implementation of crucial measures.  

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Key takeaway:   

• SMEs that integrate cybersecurity into their business strategy and processes gain resilience, credibility, and competitiveness. 

• Leaders must understand their SME's vulnerabilities before investing in technical tools.  

• Security is built in layers, not as a single block, to ensure a gradual and sustainable approach.  

• Governance transforms cybersecurity into a lever for stability by aligning policies and creating a culture of shared responsibility.   

• People remain the first line of defence. A culture of vigilance, awareness, and ongoing training significantly reduces risks.  

When cybersecurity becomes a strategy   

So, we agree that another approach is possible. An SME that makes cybersecurity part of its identity, integrating it into its processes, employee training, and governance, gains three lasting advantages:   

• Increased trust from its customers, partners, and investors;   

• The ability to absorb shocks and ensure business continuity;   

• Lower risk of financial losses in the short and medium to long term.   

Cybersecurity is no longer an expense, but a strategic investment. It allows the company to act with foresight rather than react to a crisis. According to Statistics Canada, in 2023, Canadian companies doubled their recovery costs after a cyberattack, while prevention spending remained stable.

Assess risks to identify priorities   

To act strategically without wasting time or resources, vulnerabilities must first be assessed. This is the role of risk assessment.   

This process involves analyzing critical assets (data, systems, policies, operations), identifying real threats, and estimating the potential impact of an incident on operations. The goal is not to protect everything, but to prioritize what matters most for business continuity.  

The result is a solid foundation on which to build a coherent strategy. It helps you choose the right protections, plan investments, and rally decision-makers around a shared vision. 

Building your cybersecurity in layers  

For Domenico Cerrone, Director of Technology, cybersecurity should not be a series of tools that overwhelm SMEs, but rather a strategic stack of layers of defence, each reinforcing the previous one.  

“You do not secure everything at once. First, you identify what is most at risk, put in place a simple first layer, and then increase the complexity once the foundations are in place," he explains.   

Four essential layers  

This gradual approach allows SMEs to adjust their investments according to their priorities and digital maturity. Domenico identifies four essential layers.  

• Access and identity management: Mandatory multi-factor authentication (MFA) for all critical access, strong password policy, and regular review of access privileges.  

• System and network security: Firewalls, segmentation, intrusion detection, and automatic updates are the foundations of a robust environment.  

• Backup and resilience:  Data must be copied and tested regularly, with a clear disaster recovery plan in place.  

• Human culture and awareness: Security is not limited to technology. It relies on the daily vigilance of trained and empowered employees. 

Domenico's opinion on these practices is simple: “Multi-factor authentication is both easy to deploy and radically effective in reducing intrusions. A flaw in the systems and network weakens everything else. If employees are not aware of the issues, technology alone is not enough,” he concludes.  

Governance and compliance: big words, small actions  

For Chris Feghali, Security and Compliance Analyst, cybersecurity must be managed as a governance issue, not just a technology issue.  

"Cybersecurity is not managed with panic responses, but with clear decision-making frameworks. When security becomes a governance issue, it ceases to be an expense and becomes a factor of stability."  

In his view, internal policies should not be seen as constraints, but as tools for clarity. They provide a framework for behaviour, define responsibilities, and reinforce consistency of action. 

Align with standards  

Chris recommends aligning practices with recognized standards such as ISO 27001, SOC 2, and Quebec's Bill 25, which require rigorous management of personal data.  

“These frameworks are not just for checking boxes. They guide everyday decisions: who has access to what, how incidents are handled, and when rights are reviewed. That is where compliance comes to life.”  

For him, a security policy is only valuable if it is understood and applied throughout the organization. Governance then becomes a living mechanism that connects managers to teams and supports continuous improvement. 

The human factor – Vigilance at the center  

Nick Di Nezza, Security and Compliance Analyst, often says that cybersecurity rarely starts with only a firewall. It begins with people. When we know that 61% of Canadian SMEs that have been victims of a cybersecurity attack have been victims of a phishing attempt (i.e., a social engineering attack via email), it is essential to equip employees to recognize and avoid all types of attacks.  

“Most attacks succeed not because the systems are weak, but because someone clicked in the wrong place. Technology rarely fails. It is human attention that fails." 

Security as a collective reflex    

His approach is based on a simple idea: security is a collective reflex. Employees must understand that their daily actions can create or prevent a breach.   

"Training once a year is not enough. You need frequent reminders, short exercises, and context. A safety message only has an impact if it relates to the actual work of employees." 

That is why he favours ongoing training, phishing simulations, and monitoring vigilance indicators. The goal is not to create fear, but awareness.  

This vision transforms cybersecurity into a living corporate culture. Security becomes a collective reflex, not an administrative procedure. 

Conclusion : Integrated and sustainable cybersecurity 

When does cybersecurity become a pillar of business strategy? By combining structure, governance, and human culture, SMEs can protect themselves without stopping their operations. It has evolved from a simple technique to a cybersecurity solution.  

A gradual and pragmatic approach, rooted in the reality of business, can transform risk into competitive advantage. Leaders who understand this early on gain stability, trust, and credibility with their customers and partners. 

Cybersecurity thus becomes a sign of organizational maturity, an indicator of seriousness, and a concrete lever for growth.