Understanding CyberSecure Canada

CyberSecure Canada is a federal cybersecurity certification program developed by the Canadian Centre for Cyber Security. It aims to help small and medium-sized enterprises improve their security posture by implementing a baseline set of security controls. Achieving this certification demonstrates an organization’s commitment to protecting sensitive information, thereby enhancing trust among customers, partners, and stakeholders.

Who is the Program For?

While the program is voluntary, compliance is highly encouraged for:

• Small and Medium-Sized Organizations: Compliance is important for all organizations, but the program was built with small and medium enterprises in mind.
• Organizations Handling Sensitive Data: Companies that manage personal, financial, or proprietary information.
• Supply Chain Partners: Businesses that are part of larger supply chains where cybersecurity is a prerequisite.

CyberSecure Canada’s Baseline Security Controls

CyberSecure Canada outlines 13 security controls that organizations must implement to achieve certification. Many of these controls directly cover or relate to password security:
Security Control #5: Use Strong User Authentication

1. “Implement strong user authentication techniques to prevent unauthorized access to systems and data.”
2. Security Control #3: Securely Configure Devices
   “Ensure that devices are securely configured to reduce vulnerabilities and protect systems from attacks.”
3. Security Control #12: Implement Access Control and Authorization
   “Establish and manage appropriate access controls and authorizations to protect data and systems.”
4. Security Control #7: Provide Employee Awareness Training
   “Educate employees on cybersecurity best practices to reduce human-related risks.”

BC.5.2 Organizations should only enforce password changes on suspicion or evidence of compromise.

Contained within security control 5, Enzoic supports organizations in adhering to sub-control BC.5.2, which requires enforcing password changes only on suspicion or evidence of compromise, rather than adhering to rigid, time-based resets. By continuously monitoring credentials for exposure on the dark web, Enzoic alerts administrators when there is a credible risk that a user’s login details has been compromised. This allows organizations to initiate password resets only in those specific scenarios, mitigating the burden on employees who would otherwise be forced to change passwords at arbitrary intervals.

As a result, companies find that adopting this targeted approach reduces user frustration and confusion, cuts down on the number of helpdesk calls for password assistance, and ultimately saves considerable time and resources. The outcome is a more efficient security posture that protects sensitive information—without the unnecessary overhead that periodic, scheduled changes create.

How Enzoic Supports Compliance with Password Security in CyberSecure Canada

Security Control #5: Use Strong User Authentication 

Enzoic for Active Directory

• Compromised Password Screening: Enzoic integrates with Active Directory to automatically screen passwords against a continuously updated database of compromised credentials. This ensures users cannot set passwords that have been exposed in data breaches and can automatically enforce BC.5.2.
• Real-Time Password Policy Enforcement: Automatically verifies and enforces strong, unique passwords beyond standard complexity rules.

Enzoic’s APIs

• Custom Application Integration:  Allows organizations to implement compromised password checks within their existing login flows to detect compromised employee passwords, also directly  supporting BC.5.2.
• Automated Password Checks:  Provides real-time API calls to verify password security during user registration or password change events.

By preventing the use of weak or compromised passwords, Enzoic directly helps organizations comply with the requirement to implement strong user authentication techniques.

Security Control #3: Securely Configure Devices 

Enzoic for Active Directory

• Unified Password Policies: Applies custom password policies across all devices connected to Active Directory.
• The Latest Data: Automatically uses the latest dark web data to make sure passwords in your environment haven’t been exposed.

Enzoic’s APIs

• Cross-Platform Consistency: Enables secure password configurations across various devices and platforms through API integration and checks to confirm passwords haven’t been exposed in a data breach.
• Scalable Deployment: Allows for rapid deployment of secure configurations across multiple devices and systems.

Enzoic ensures devices are securely configured by enforcing strong password policies, aligning with the need to reduce vulnerabilities and protect systems from attacks.

Security Control #12: Implement Access Control and Authorization 

Enzoic for Active Directory

• Enhanced Access Controls: Strengthens access controls by ensuring that only users with secure credentials can access systems.
• Administrative Account Protection: Customizable policies allows organiztions to add an extra layer of security for administrative accounts, which are high-value targets for attackers.

Enzoic’s APIs – Role-Based Access Management: Facilitates the implementation of access controls within custom applications by verifying user credentials against known compromised lists.

By ensuring that access is granted only to authorized users with secure credentials, Enzoic supports the establishment and management of appropriate access controls.

Security Control #7: Provide Employee Awareness Training 

Enzoic for Active Directory – User Feedback Mechanisms: Real-time feedback when setting passwords helps users learn how to set secure passwords.

Enzoic’s APIs – Educational Prompts: Integrates prompts within applications to inform users about password strength and security during password creation.

By promoting better password practices, Enzoic helps educate employees on cybersecurity best practices, thereby reducing human-related risks.

Take the Next Step Towards Compliance and Security

Achieving compliance with password security in CyberSecure Canada standards is a significant step for organizations aiming to strengthen their cybersecurity posture. Enzoic’s solutions—Enzoic for Active Directory and Enzoic’s APIs—provide essential tools to meet specific security controls, particularly in:

• Implementing Strong User Authentication (Security Control #5)
• Securely Configuring Devices (Security Control #3)
• Implementing Access Control and Authorization (Security Control #12)
• Providing Employee Awareness Training (Security Control #7)

By integrating these tools, organizations not only move closer to certification but also significantly enhance their defenses against the top risk of a data breach. The ease of integration and comprehensive coverage make Enzoic an invaluable partner in achieving and maintaining CyberSecure Canada compliance.

Equip your organization with the tools necessary to meet CyberSecure Canada’s standards. Explore how Enzoic can be integrated into your existing systems to provide automated security and prevent account takeover.

 

AUTHOR

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Josh Parsons

Josh is the Product Manager at Enzoic, where he leads the development and execution of strategies to bring innovative threat intelligence solutions to market. Outside of work, he can be found at the nearest bookstore or exploring the city’s local coffee scene.