Founded in 1986, Groupe Petra is a real estate management company active in Quebec and Ontario. Its portfolio includes 41 commercial, industrial, and office buildings. Petra is recognized for its long-term vision: investing in, maintaining, and enhancing its real estate assets while building strong relationships with tenants and partners. 

In 2017, Petra chose Genatec to support the management of its IT environment. The relationship began with basic support services and gradually evolved into a strategic partnership. Today, our experts are key in standardizing IT infrastructures and implementing robust cybersecurity practices. 

Initially, Petra worked with us to provide basic technological support. Over time, the mandate evolved into a consulting role, highlighting the absence of a proper infrastructure and governance strategy, particularly in the area of cybersecurity. 

The challenge was not only technical. It was first and foremost about building a climate of trust and collaboration to make this strategic shift possible. Cybersecurity was not the initial goal, but rather a natural result of continuous and structured support. 

The main challenge was providing Petra with solid governance that covered its internal operations and external service providers, ensuring that every step of its technological evolution was built on durable and secure foundations. 

Our experts strive to establish long-term relationships with our clients, enabling them to achieve their business objectives. With Petra, this intention quickly materialized thanks to the mutual trust established between our teams. 

The mandate shifted from providing daily technical support to offering strategic advisory services. A comprehensive audit of systems and processes was conducted to identify priorities and propose recommendations tailored to both risk mitigation and growth objectives. 

In this context, cybersecurity emerged not as an isolated goal but as the logical outcome of sustained teamwork. Training and awareness programs were implemented among employees and partners to enhance resilience throughout Petra's entire ecosystem. 

Finally, the standardization of practices and the continuous improvement process enabled Petra to establish a coherent, scalable, and growth-oriented IT framework. 

Over time, Petra’s needs evolved toward the implementation of a technology environment designed to ensure business continuity and support the group’s growth. This support, delivered by our technicians and specialists, was structured around four main pillars: 

• A standardized IT environment: deployment of modern tools such as EDR to block viruses, spyware, and ransomware; Microsoft Defender for antispam; RMM for centralized updates; and Microsoft Intune for conditional access and control over Office 365. 

• A robust backup strategy: implementation of Veeam Backup & Replication for on-premise and offsite servers, and BackupIFY to secure Microsoft 365 (emails, calendars, Teams, OneDrive, SharePoint). 

• Dedicated support: creation of specific communication channels for Petra and assignment of a full-time on-site technician. 

• Cybersecurity awareness and training: employee training with Cyberhunt and partner programs to reduce human-factor risks and strengthen the culture of cybersecurity. 

The impacts of this work translated into tangible results, demonstrating the value of a long-term partnership rather than one-off interventions.

• Rapid recovery during a major attack: Petra was able to restore operations in less than half a day, significantly limiting operational, financial and reputational consequences.
• A standardized and coherent IT environment: reduced infrastructure complexity and increased resilience against threats.
• Better-equipped employees: training and awareness initiatives strengthened confidence and preparedness against cyber risks.
• A confirmed strategic partnership: Genatec is now seen not only as a service provider but as a true ally for IT growth and governance, even representing Petra in discussions with external vendors.

The work doesn't stop here. We continue our collaboration with regular updates to cybersecurity measures, recurring audits, and the development of an IT roadmap aligned with Petra's growth ambitions. This proactive approach ensures Petra remains protected, agile, and ready to face tomorrow's technological challenges. 

Groupe Petra has transformed its technological management to a strategic level. From basic support to advanced cybersecurity, every step has strengthened resilience and minimized interruptions—even during major incidents. This partnership demonstrates the value of a long-term trust-based relationship and the power of a shared vision. 

Would you like to achieve the same results for your organization?