Businesses in Western Canada are facing a rapidly evolving threat landscape, where cyberattacks and physical breaches are increasingly interlinked. The rise of hybrid threats, those that blur the line between digital and physical security, has exposed gaps in traditional approaches to risk management.
From ransomware targeting building automation systems to unauthorized access enabled through compromised surveillance networks, the risks are both complex and connected.
This is where a vCISO, or Virtual Chief Information Security Officer, becomes indispensable. A vCISO provides expert guidance on cybersecurity strategy and compliance without the cost of a full-time executive.
More importantly, they help organizations align their cybersecurity features with physical security protocols, creating a more resilient and unified defence model.
According to IBM’s 2025 Cost of a Data Breach Report, the average global cost of a data breach stood at 4.4 million USD.
As threats become increasingly sophisticated, having a dedicated external cybersecurity service company that provides vCISO services and understands both digital vulnerabilities and real-world access risks is not just optional but a necessity.
What Is a vCISO and What Do They Do?
A vCISO, or Virtual Chief Information Security Officer, is an outsourced expert who leads a company’s cybersecurity strategy and operations.
Unlike an internal CISO, a vCISO provides on-demand, part-time, or contract-based leadership, making this role particularly valuable for small to mid-sized businesses that lack the resources to hire a full-time security executive.
Key responsibilities of a vCISO include:
- Conducting comprehensive cyber risk assessments
- Ensuring compliance with relevant regulations and industry standards
- Developing and managing incident response plans
- Writing, updating, and enforcing cybersecurity policies and procedures
- Providing strategic advice on how to align security with business goals
While full-time CISOs are embedded within larger corporations, a vCISO offers flexibility and cost efficiency. They often serve multiple clients and bring cross-industry experience that helps them spot blind spots more quickly.
For small to mid-sized organizations across Western Canada, a vCISO offers a scalable solution to today’s rising cybersecurity demands, without the overhead of another executive hire.
The Overlapping Physical and Cyber Threats
Today’s security landscape no longer treats cyber and physical threats as separate domains. They are increasingly interwoven, creating what experts now refer to as cyber-physical threats.
Examples of blended threats include:
- A hacker gains entry to a secure facility by cloning an employee’s RFID badge using publicly available tools.
- A data breach is initiated by physically tampering with a company’s surveillance system or plugging malicious hardware into an unsecured network port.
- Remote work setups are leading to unauthorized access through improperly secured home devices connected to corporate networks.
Many studies emphasize the urgency of addressing these converging risks, warning that cyber-physical systems are increasingly vulnerable to targeted attacks with increasingly adverse consequences.
The lesson? Organizations can no longer rely solely on traditional physical security measures or isolated IT protocols. The future demands integration, and the first step is recognizing how closely these two risk areas are connected.
How vCISOs Strengthen Physical Security Strategies
A seasoned vCISO doesn’t just monitor firewalls and cloud credentials. They also play a critical role in enhancing physical security posture.
Here’s how:
Auditing Digital Access Points
vCISOs regularly evaluate systems such as access control panels, surveillance cameras, badge readers, and smart building controls to ensure they are secure against digital threats.
Coordinating With On-Site Security Teams
They work directly with physical security teams to develop unified security protocols, ensuring that guard services and IT teams are not operating in silos.
Identifying Systemic Gaps
For example, a vCISO may discover that IoT security cameras are using default credentials or outdated firmware. These are vulnerabilities that can be exploited remotely.
Example
A facility uses an IP-based camera system that hasn’t been patched in two years. An attacker exploits the outdated firmware, gaining access not just to the video feeds but also to the internal network. A vCISO would flag this during a routine audit and implement mitigation strategies before it becomes a breach.
By bridging the gap between tech and boots-on-the-ground, vCISOs help create an integrated and proactive approach to threat detection.
Benefits of Integrating vCISO Services With On-Site Guarding
When vCISO services and physical guarding operations are aligned, businesses experience a multiplier effect on their overall security posture. Here are the main benefits:
Streamlined Incident Response
Coordinated communication protocols ensure physical security teams and IT departments respond faster and more effectively to threats.
Stronger Policy Enforcement
Training programs that combine cyber and physical security practices help all staff understand their role in maintaining a safe environment.
Improved Audit Trails
Digital and physical systems are monitored together, enabling more accurate and comprehensive incident logging and investigation.
Regulatory Compliance
Industries like healthcare, finance, and energy often require both physical security (e.g., controlled access) and cybersecurity (e.g., data protection) to meet government standards. A vCISO ensures both sides of compliance are covered, reducing legal and financial risk.
By integrating vCISO services with professional guarding solutions, companies not only become more resilient to threats but also improve operational efficiency and compliance alignment.
Industries That Benefit Most From an Integrated Security Model
An integrated security approach where a vCISO and physical security services work hand in hand is particularly valuable for organizations that operate in complex or high-risk environments.
Construction Sites
With expensive equipment and materials on-site, construction projects are frequent targets of theft. Remote surveillance trailers and mobile patrols offer physical protection, while a vCISO ensures network-connected cameras and access systems are cybersecure.
Oil and Gas Camps
Camps in Alberta’s energy sector face unique threats, from environmental protest disruptions to insider sabotage. A combination of on-site guards, digital access control systems, and strategic cyber oversight ensures a secure operating environment.
Healthcare Facilities
Hospitals and clinics handle vast amounts of sensitive patient data. With a vCISO managing digital compliance and threat mitigation, and guards providing 24/7 access control, healthcare operations meet privacy laws and protect human lives simultaneously.
Commercial Offices
With hybrid work environments now common, office buildings require both IT infrastructure protection and controlled physical access. A vCISO helps secure cloud systems and remote endpoints, while physical security handles building access, package handling, and emergency response.
Why Choose GPS Security Group for Integrated Physical and Cybersecurity Solutions
When it comes to safeguarding your business from both digital and physical threats, GPS Security Group stands out as one of Western Canada’s only providers delivering truly integrated security solutions.
What makes GPS Security Group different is its ability to combine on-the-ground expertise with advanced cybersecurity services, including access to a dedicated vCISO for strategic risk management.
Ready to protect your operation on all fronts? Contact GPS Security Group today to learn how our integrated services can work for your business.
