Incident Response Firms in Canada
6 vetted firms with Canadian PIPEDA expertise and OPC notification experience. All provide 24/7 emergency response across Canada.
Canadian Incident Response Landscape
PIPEDA Requirements
Under federal PIP EDA, organizations must notify the OPC and affected individuals when a breach poses a "real risk of significant harm." Notifications must be made "as soon as feasible."
- • OPC notification: As soon as feasible
- • Individual notification: When real risk of harm
- • Record keeping: 24-month retention
Provincial Laws
Alberta, British Columbia, and Quebec have their own private sector privacy laws with additional breach notification requirements.
- • Quebec (Law 25): Mandatory breach registry
- • Alberta/BC PIPA: Provincial commissioner notification
- • Health sectors: Additional provincial requirements
Financial Sector Requirements
Federally regulated financial institutions must follow OSFI's Technology and Cyber Security Incident Reporting guidelines, which require immediate notification of material cyber events to OSFI and other regulatory bodies.
Canadian Incident Response Firms
| Firm | Location | Response | Specialties | Action |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Waterloo, Ontario | 24hr | Managed DetectionThreat Hunting +3 | Get Help | |
| Vancouver, Canada | 24hr | Ransomware NegotiationData Recovery +3 | Get Help | |
| Toronto, Canada | 24hr | Advisory ServicesManaged Security +3 | Get Help | |
| Fredericton, Canada | 24hr | Managed SecurityMicrosoft Security +3 | Get Help | |
| Vancouver, Canada | 24hr | Ransomware ResponseDigital Forensics +3 | Get Help | |
| Ottawa, Canada | 24hr | Managed DetectionThreat Intelligence +3 | Get Help |
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the PIPEDA breach notification requirements?
Under PIPEDA, Canadian organizations must notify the Office of the Privacy Commissioner of Canada (OPC) and affected individuals as soon as feasible after determining a breach of security safeguards poses a real risk of significant harm. There is no specific timeline, but the OPC expects prompt notification. Provincial laws (e.g., Alberta PIPA, B.C. PIPA) may have additional requirements.
Should I hire a Canadian incident response firm?
Canadian firms offer deep understanding of PIPEDA requirements, relationships with the OPC and provincial privacy commissioners, and familiarity with Canadian regulatory expectations. They also provide bilingual (English/French) support for Quebec operations and understand industry-specific requirements like OSFI guidelines for financial institutions.
What is the average cost of incident response in Canada?
Canadian incident response costs typically range from CAD $30,000-$80,000 for small to medium incidents, and CAD $150,000+ for complex breaches. Hourly rates range from CAD $250-$500. Retainer arrangements (CAD $6,000-$15,000/month) provide priority response and cost savings.
Do provincial privacy laws apply?
Yes. Alberta and British Columbia have their own privacy laws (PIPA) that apply to private sector organizations in those provinces. Quebec has Bill 64 (Law 25) with stricter requirements including mandatory breach registries. Organizations must comply with applicable provincial laws in addition to federal PIPEDA.