Identity security practices have evolved in tandem with technological advancements and the increasing sophistication of cyber threats. While familiar measures—like using strong passwords or being vigilant against phishing—might seem routine, regularly revisiting and reinforcing these best practices is crucial for safeguarding your business.

Robust identity security is fundamental to maintaining customer trust, ensuring business continuity, and preserving your brand’s reputation. In this guide, we’ll outline five key strategies to enhance your identity security and protect your organization from potential threats.

Tip 1: Implement Passkeys and MFA

Password vulnerabilities are among the most common entry points for cybercriminals. Passkeys (based on FIDO2/WebAuthn standards) replace traditional passwords with biometric authentication and device-based security, eliminating phishing risks entirely.

Consider:

• Enterprise-grade password managers to create long, machine-generated passphrases to ensure security.


• Just-In-Time (JIT) credentials, where passwords are generated per session and expire immediately after use.


• Non-character-based authentication, such as hardware security keys (YubiKey, Google Titan) for high-risk accounts.

Furthermore, ensure that multi-factor authentication (MFA) is enforced organization-wide. Employees should use app-based or hardware token authentication as an added layer of protection. This is important as SMS-based MFA is weak and vulnerable to SIM-swapping attacks.

Popular MFA Tools

• Google Authenticator:

Widely used to generate time-based one-time passwords (TOTPs) for secure logins

• Microsoft Authenticator:

Integrates seamlessly with Office 365, making it an ideal choice for organizations using Microsoft’s suite of tools

Tip 2: Regularly Updated Account Information

Keeping account details current is an administrative task and a critical security measure. Outdated recovery information can prevent you from regaining access to accounts in the event of a breach.

Every quarter, update relevant information related to email addresses, phone numbers, and security questions. When doing so, ensure that recovery information is both accurate and securely stored.

Compliance with Canadian Data Protection Laws

Under Canada’s Personal Information Protection and Electronic Documents Act (PIPEDA), businesses are legally obligated to protect personal information. This includes ensuring that customer and employee account data is accurate, up-to-date, and secure

Regularly updating account information is also a key part of building trust with customers and stakeholders because it shows a strong commitment to data protection. One way to streamline this process is by implementing automated Data Lifecycle Management (DLM) protocols, which reduces manual work while helping to verify and cleanse outdated account information regularly. By automating these updates, businesses can reduce errors, improve security, and ensure compliance.

Tip 3: Be Cautious of Phishing Attempts

Phishing remains one of the most prevalent and effective cyber threats. These deceptive messages are designed to trick recipients into disclosing sensitive information or installing malicious software.

Building employee awareness is the first line of defence. Organizations should educate staff to recognize common phishing tactics, such as spelling errors, suspicious links, or urgent requests

Next, it’s critical to test employees in real time using simulated phishing attacks, especially those that look like they were sent internally, to identify vulnerabilities and enforce just-in-time education. Consider various reminder sessions and educational methods to ensure training is consistent and relevant.

Implement Account Security Protocols

Phishing attacks are designed to bypass security layers and access privileged accounts. Working with cybersecurity experts, your organization can leverage monitoring tools to detect sudden changes in user behaviour, such as:

• Unusual login locations
• Abnormal transaction requests
• Multiple MFA attempts within short time frames

Recognize Phishing Scams Targeting Canadians

Canadian businesses are frequently targeted by phishing schemes impersonating trusted institutions, such as the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) or major banks and telecom providers. These scams often exploit bilingual communication, using both English and French to lend credibility to fraudulent messages.

Tip 4: Monitor Account Activity Regularly

Proactive monitoring is essential to detect unauthorized access and address potential threats before they escalate. Even with strong preventive measures, regular oversight ensures that security gaps are identified and resolved promptly.

• Track Behavioural Deviations:

Unusual data access patterns, new devices with previously unseen fingerprints attempting to access admin accounts, or session anomalies, such as simultaneous logins from multiple locations.

• Automate Threat Response with Security Orchestration, Automation, and Response (SOAR):

Canon Canada can deploy automated SOAR workflows to lockdown compromised accounts in real-time, effectively quarantining suspicious login attempts or triggering forced re-authentication if high-risk behaviours are detected.

• Implement Privileged Access Session Recording:

For high-risk accounts (e.g., sysadmins, finance teams), log all privileged session activities—this ensures that any unauthorized command execution or configuration change is traceable and reversible.

At Canon Canada, we understand the evolving security landscape and the unique challenges facing Canadian businesses. Our IT solutions are designed to help organizations secure their operations while enabling transformation and growth.