Why are these standards so important?
Imagine this: you just lost a government contract. The reason given? No cybersecurity guarantees. Yet there was no law requiring you to provide them. This situation is becoming common in Quebec. Certain standards are becoming essential, even without legal requirements. How can you navigate this landscape? When should you take action? This guide will help you see clearly, based on your business priorities and actual obligations.
1. Bill 25: the only mandatory IT standard for all Quebec businesses
Since September 2023, all businesses must comply with Bill 25. It imposes several measures:
- Appoint a personal information protection officer
- Adopt data governance policies
- Conduct a privacy impact assessment (PIA)
Why it matters: Bill 25 strengthens the trust of your customers and partners. It shows that you take data protection seriously. Even small businesses must comply.
❌ Without compliance, fines can run into tens of thousands of dollars.
✅ When to apply it? Right now, regardless of the size of your business.
2. NIST and CIS frameworks: benchmarks for structuring your cybersecurity
The NIST Cybersecurity Framework is recognized worldwide. It is based on five essential functions:
- Identify;
- Protect;
- Detect;
- Respond;
- Recover.
The CIS offers 18 security controls, organized by maturity level. These frameworks are not certifications, but practical tools. They serve as reliable references for structuring your IT practices, even with limited resources.
Why it’s useful ?: they are accessible to businesses of all sizes and facilitate progressive compliance.
✅ When should you adopt them? As soon as you want to professionalize your IT security without formal certification.
3. Cybersecure Canada Certification: a framework designed for SMEs
Launched by the federal government, the Cybersecure Canada certification aims to protect small and medium-sized businesses from cyber threats. It is based on 13 basic controls, including:
- Strong passwords;
- Regular software updates;
- Data backups;
- Access management.
Why it matters ?: This certification is designed to be realistic, accessible, and recognized. It provides immediate credibility, particularly with public or regulated clients.
✅ When to invest ?: If you want to prove to your clients that you are implementing basic best practices at a reasonable cost.
4. ISO 27001 and SOC 2: for companies with high standards
ISO 27001 is an international standard for large organizations. It requires:
- A comprehensive information security management system (ISMS)
- A detailed risk analysis
- Documented and regularly audited controls
It generally requires a dedicated full-time person and significant investment. It is suitable for large companies or those targeting regulated international markets.
SOC 2, on the other hand, is primarily intended for IT service providers that host customer data (SaaS, cloud computing). It evaluates five pillars: security, confidentiality, availability, privacy, and processing integrity.
Why it’s important? : Although less common for Quebec SMEs, these certifications may become essential in certain specialized calls for tenders.
✅ When should you consider it? If you are targeting highly demanding markets or managing complex infrastructures.
What you need to remember when choosing the right standards
Bill 25 is mandatory for all Quebec businesses. After that, it all depends on your industry, your customers, and your ambitions. For SMEs, the Cybersecurity Canada Framework or NIST/CIS standards are an excellent starting point. ISO 27001 and SOC 2 remain relevant for very specific business contexts.
Not sure which standard to adopt? My Technician supports Quebec SMEs in choosing and implementing IT compliance frameworks. Contact us for a personalized assessment.
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