Cybersecurity has moved beyond the IT department and landed squarely on the shoulders of the C-suite. Geopolitical tensions are escalating. From global conflicts and trade sanctions to the rise of state-sponsored cyberattacks, the digital threat landscape is evolving rapidly. Cybersecurity is now a financial, operational, and reputational risk, not just a technical one. Canadian businesses, especially Calgary SMEs, must act.
The World Economic Forum Global Cybersecurity Outlook 2025 report underscores the importance of cybersecurity amid these geopolitical tensions. One in three CEOs now identify cyber espionage and intellectual property (IP) theft as top concerns, while 45% of cybersecurity leaders believe disruptions in critical business operations, such as the supply chain, should be their primary focus. For the first time, we’re seeing strong alignment of strategic and technical concerns. In this new reality, cybersecurity is becoming a core business priority.
The Geopolitical-Cybersecurity Nexus
The link between geopolitical tensions and cyber security is more obvious than ever. Trade conflicts, regulatory sanctions, and regional instabilities create fertile ground for cyber threats. Companies are seeing an alarming increase in phishing threats, and traditional cybersecurity measures simply are not enough.
The ongoing conflicts between Ukraine and Russia and Israel and Hamas, coming on the heels of the pandemic, has thrust the world into a period of volatility, uncertainty, complexity, and ambiguity (VUCA). Rather than improve in the last year, the uncertainty as a result of new trade policies and tariffs have exacerbated the risk Calgary companies are facing.
State-sponsored cyberattacks are on the rise, often targeting businesses as proxies in geopolitical disputes. Calgary companies, especially in construction, finance, and healthcare, are becoming increasingly vulnerable. Recent incidents have highlighted the fragility of critical sectors. From ransomware attacks on health networks to the targeting of financial institutions, including the Canadian Revenue Agency (CRA), these events call attention to the geopolitical risk that is now embedded in our digital infrastructure. Cyberattacks are no longer random; they’re strategic, targeted, and often politically motivated.
Navigating Cybersecurity in a VUCA World
In today’s VUCA world, cybersecurity can no longer be treated as a siloed IT concern; it must be elevated to a core business priority. For Calgary companies, building true cyberresilience means refining their cybersecurity strategy to account for evolving threats, shifting geopolitical dynamics, and increasing regulatory pressure. This requires a cultural and organizational shift, starting at the top. The C-suite must take ownership of cybersecurity, championing it as a critical pillar of risk management and long-term business continuity. When executives view cybersecurity as a strategic investment – not just a technical issue for the CTO – they can better align people, processes, and technology to mitigate risk across the entire enterprise. By adopting a comprehensive approach to cyber resilience and engaging trusted cybersecurity experts, Calgary organizations can ensure that their critical infrastructure, intellectual property, and customer data are protected by next-generation technologies and proactive defenses regardless of the geopolitical tensions they face. In a VUCA world, agility, preparedness, and cross-functional collaboration are the cornerstones of cybersecurity success.
Supply Chain Vulnerabilities: The Weakest Link
Supply chain companies are directly impacted by geopolitical conflicts, directly impacting businesses around the world. A cyberattack on your business may not be launched directly at your IT infrastructure (although unpatched vulnerabilities remain a persistent threat). Instead, ransomware, or other forms of malware, might access your network through a vendor, a software provider, or a logistics partner. Supply chains are complex and interdependent, and that makes them prime targets for attackers striving to exploit the weakest link. PowerSchool, for example, a third-party provider of K-12 education software, suffered a data breach in November 2024. The PowerSchool breach impacted schools throughout the U.S. and Canada, including Calgary.
Geopolitical instability increases supply chain vulnerability and risk. If one of your suppliers is affected by sanctions or becomes the target of cyber espionage, your operations could be directly impacted. We’ve seen instances where breaches of compromised suppliers caused widespread disruption across industries, from halted production lines to delayed services and damaged customer trust.
What can Calgary businesses do?
- Start with a thorough risk assessment of your supply chain.
- Demand transparency and accountability from your partners.
- Build redundancies and ensure contractual requirements for cybersecurity standards.
AI and Cybersecurity: A Double-Edged Sword
Artificial intelligence is a game-changer in cybersecurity for both sides. On the one hand, AI helps detect anomalies, identify threats in real time, and automate responses. On the other, it gives threat actors a powerful tool for launching more sophisticated and convincing attacks.
From AI-generated phishing emails to deepfake videos and automated penetration testing tools in the wrong hands, the risks are mounting. As AI continues to evolve, Calgary businesses must tread carefully. Vetting AI tools, ensuring secure deployment, and establishing governance frameworks will be crucial steps moving forward. This isn’t just about keeping pace with technology; it’s about using technology responsibly and defensively.
Cybersecurity as a Business Imperative
Cybersecurity means more than simply checking off a box and then moving on to other parts of your overall business strategy. Cybersecurity is a dynamic, progressive part of business continuity. The cost of a data breach, whether measured in unexpected downtime, legal ramifications, or reputational damage, is simply too high to ignore.
Geopolitical tensions amplify risk, making it more challenging to avoid threats. As political actors exploit digital vulnerabilities, even neutral businesses can be caught in the crossfire. That’s why your entire leadership team, not just your IT team, must champion cybersecurity initiatives, a zero-trust culture, and a suitable investment in IT.
Every organization should integrate cybersecurity into its business strategy. This means conducting regular risk assessments, developing crisis management plans, and ensuring executive involvement in digital resilience planning.
Building Cyber Resilience Amid Geopolitical Tensions and Global Uncertainty
In an era marked by geopolitical instability, economic turbulence, and rapidly evolving threats, building cyber resilience has become a strategic imperative for organizations worldwide. Cyber resilience goes beyond traditional cybersecurity by integrating risk management, business continuity, and incident response into a unified framework that prepares organizations to withstand and recover from cyber disruptions. As digital infrastructure becomes increasingly critical and interdependent, the ability to adapt and respond quickly to emerging threats, whether from state-sponsored actors, criminal networks, or supply chain vulnerabilities, can determine an organization’s survival. Amid global uncertainty, fostering a culture of resilience empowers businesses to remain agile, safeguard stakeholder trust, and maintain operational integrity in the face of the unknown.
Here are key steps every Calgary business should take:
Strengthen Supply Chain Security
In a connected world, your cybersecurity is only as strong as the weakest link in your supply chain. Calgary businesses must conduct thorough risk assessments of all third-party vendors, service providers, and partners. This includes understanding where your suppliers operate, how secure their systems are, and what level of access they have to your data and infrastructure. Geopolitical instability can disrupt global supply chains or expose businesses to risks tied to nation-state actors or foreign regulations. Implementing vendor risk management programs and requiring cybersecurity standards in contracts are essential steps in building a resilient supply chain.
Invest in Next-Gen Cybersecurity Tools
Traditional firewalls and antivirus software are no longer enough. The threat landscape is evolving faster than ever, and Calgary businesses need to stay ahead by investing in modern, proactive solutions. AI-powered threat detection, behavioural analytics that monitor unusual user activity, and zero-trust security architectures that assume no implicit trust within or outside the network are vital. These technologies help detect sophisticated attacks early, minimize damage, and support faster incident response—critical advantages in today’s environment of advanced persistent threats and digital warfare.
Collaborate with Government and Industry Partners
Cybersecurity is a team sport, especially in a geopolitical climate where national and global threats increasingly target businesses of all sizes. Calgary companies should leverage partnerships with Canadian government agencies, industry associations, and public-private coalitions that offer threat intelligence sharing, guidance on emerging threats, and support during incidents. Organizations like the Canadian Centre for Cyber Security and Alberta-focused industry groups can provide crucial insights and resources. Collaborating not only improves your situational awareness but contributes to the broader resilience of the region’s digital economy.
Train Your People
Technology alone isn’t enough. Human error continues to be one of the leading causes of cyber incidents. From phishing scams to credential theft, employees are often targeted as entry points into secure systems. Continuous education is key. Calgary businesses should provide regular cybersecurity training, simulate phishing attacks, and foster a culture where employees feel empowered to report suspicious activity. By turning your workforce into informed defenders, you significantly reduce your overall cyber risk.
Stay Adaptive
The only constant in cybersecurity is change. As global tensions shift, new vulnerabilities emerge and threat actors adjust their tactics. A rigid cybersecurity strategy quickly becomes obsolete. Calgary businesses must adopt an agile mindset, building frameworks that can pivot as needed. This includes conducting regular risk assessments, updating incident response plans, and staying informed on geopolitical developments that could impact digital operations. Being adaptive means not just reacting to threats—but anticipating them.
Adopt a Zero-Trust Approach
The idea behind zero trust is just what it infers: Don’t trust anything or anyone with access to your network without first ensuring that such access is unquestionably necessary. Add as many layers of verification as needed to prevent unauthorized access and to prevent malicious software from being introduced. Err on the side of caution and inconvenience.
The Bottom Line
Geopolitical tensions are reshaping the cybersecurity landscape. For Canadian businesses, especially in Calgary’s growing economy, this means embracing a more comprehensive, forward-looking approach to cyber resilience.
The ITeam has long advocated for cybersecurity as a pillar of business success. Now, with global instability a reality, this proactive approach is more relevant than ever. Leaders must act decisively, not reactively, to secure their operations, their data, and their future.
Cybersecurity is no longer optional. It’s a strategic necessity.
The ITeam is committed to helping Calgary- and Alberta-based businesses develop proactive, cost-effective IT strategies that minimize risk and maximize efficiency. Our servers are locally hosted, managed, and supported in Calgary. This ensures the protection of your data and the continuity of your business. The ITeam also provides the security infrastructure necessary to help you remain compliant with industry regulations.
Learn more or request an assessment today.