News

Congratulations to the 0K10K team for their extraordinary performance at the Hackfest 2011 competition held in Quebec city November 4th to 6th. Although the team is only on its second outing, it managed to cling second place, within five points of the event favorites "Amish Security", unbeaten for the last few events. It is worth mentioning that our team did very well on its very first competition, the Hackus, held at Sherbrooke University in March, where we managed a third place, right behind "Amish Security" and "Japan Overload", a very strong team from ETS.»

For companies looking to test their systems against security breaches, hiring a hacker might just be their best option. Ethical hackers are trained security professionals that provide penetration testing services — a secure and ethical way to verify the robustness of security controls.»

A few weeks after the cyber attack on the Treasury Board and the federal Department of Finance, Daniel Boteanu, Senior Information Security Consultant at OKIOK, discusses the measures that should be taken to counter computer-related threats. He believes events such as these should raise awareness of how important it is for organizations to adopt a security program and measure their level of vulnerability using penetration tests. Read the complete article, published in Direction informatique (in French). »

The smart grid that is currently being deployed all over the world will deliver undeniable benefits. However, the essential role that security will play in this new model should not be overlooked. This is a reality that the whole industry must learn to adapt to.

Read the full article by Claude Vigeant, as it was published in Direction informatique »

OKIOK experts Daniel Boteanu and Jean Delwaide were invited to speak at the Série SÉCURITÉ seminar hosted by the Laval-Laurentides-Lanaudière Chapter of Réseau Action TI at the Laval Technopole this past November 17, 2010.»

Claude Vigeant, President of OKIOK, Canada's leader in the field of information technology security and infrastructure, has been invited to deliver two lectures on Smart Grid cyber security, to be held in Portland on November 3 and in Chicago on December 3. The company's participation in these events reflects a strategic decision to enter this global market which was estimated at 1.2 billion U.S. dollars in 2009 and, according to Pike Research, is expected to exceed 3.7 billion U.S. dollars by 2015.»

Back from an important trade mission to Mexico that took place from April 18 to 22 and included stops in Mexico City, Guadalajara and Monterrey, the director of the LAVAL TECHNOPOLE International Business Centre, Véronique Proulx, is thrilled with the spinoffs expected for the five participating Laval companies.»

OKIOK announces a presentation of its S-Filer/Portal secure file transfer solution. This joint presentation by OKIOK, publisher of the S-Filer/Portal solution, and the Centre hospitalier de l’université de Montréal “CHUM”, a leading health care institution and user of the solution, will be held (in French) at the Vitrine technologique of the Centre de Services Partagés of the Government of Québec. »

As a business executive, you rely on the expertise of your IT manager to secure electronic transactions and comply with Canada’s privacy laws. However, did you know that inadequate information security practices could have a devastating impact on your organization and its officers? Find out whether your organization is taking the right approach to mitigating risk. Sylvain Poirier, Director of IT Security Solutions, shares eight key questions you should ask your IT manager to get peace of mind. Read the full article in Les Affaires »

Cyber attacks on your B2B electronic transactions should be taken seriously, especially if you are a small or medium-sized organization. In 2008, eighty-five percent of all cyber attacks in North America were targeted at SMEs. To protect your business against loosing sales to pirates and prevent sensitive customer data and buyers’ profiles from being stolen, your organization must ensure that it is effectively authenticating both transaction partners, securing its transmission channels, and double-encrypting sensitive data, such as credit card information. Sylvain Poirier, Director of IT Security Solutions, provides insights on how to achieve these goals. Read the full article in Les Affaires »

OPUS cards, first introduced to passengers of la Société de transport de Montréal (STM) a year ago, have made their way into the black market. François Daigle, Director of Professional Services, believes those responsible may have found a method for recharging cards sold by authorized retailers. Listen to the radio interview on Radio-Canada Channel 1 »

For many organizations, portable devices such as laptop computers and smart phones have become essential tools for maximizing the productivity of their workforce. However, the security risks posed by Wi-Fi zones and applications increase an organization’s chances of having its intellectual property stolen. Daniel Boteanu, Information Security Consultant at OKIOK, addresses the growing problem in Les Affaires »

Five good reasons to adopt virtualizationSaving money and a number of other reasons may lead you to consider replacing your physical servers with virtual ones. However, it is important to avoid the pitfalls that could turn this sound decision into a problematic one. Five reasons for adopting virtualization will be discussed, including relocating servers onto a separate machine in the event of vulnerability in order to ensure business continuity. Daniel Boteanu, IT Security Consultant at OKIOK, speaks about the measures to be implemented. Read the full article in Les Affaires. »

IT jobs are not immune to the slowing economy. During these difficult times, headhunters are not only seeking IT candidates who have excellent technological skills, but also those who have a keen business sense, because they will be increasingly expected to interact with clients over the coming years. François Daigle, Director of Professional Services at OKIOK, comments on this phenomenon. Read the full article in Les Affaires. »

IT companies are seeking candidates who demonstrate more in-depth competencies than simply mastery of a technology. This article presents an overview of the four major qualifications sought by employers. François Daigle, Director of Professional Services at OKIOK, explores this issue. Read the full article in Les Affaires.»

It would be erroneous to think that IT is the exclusive domain of computer geeks backed by countless certifications. IT competencies are important, but if you want to make your way into this field, the ability to manage problems and put them into perspective is just as important. François Daigle, Director of Professional Services at OKIOK, explains how he came to work in the IT industry. Read the full article in Les Affaires. »

Information security requires constant monitoring of the latest security threats and an eye on the newest technology innovations and trends. That’s why R&D is paramount at OKIOK and a critical component of our business strategy and market success. Thanks to our R&D efforts, OKIOK outpaces common IT vendors and brings creative, intelligent solutions to market that adds significant value to our customers. Read the complete article, published in Direction informatique (in French). »

To mark to the 20th anniversary of Direction informatique magazine, Claude Vigeant, President of OKIOK, gave a lecture on identity and access management. Topics included productivity, Y generation integration and sustainable development. »

Setting up a wireless Internet network is so simple that a number of organizations are tackling the installation themselves. A successful implementation, however, depends on several key factors, such as network security, the quality of the connection and location of users. Guillaume Séguin, Senior IT Security Consultant at OKIOK, explains how to install a secure Wi-Fi Network in just four steps. Read the full article as it appears in Les Affaires. »

Setting up a wireless Internet network is so simple that a number of organizations are tackling the installation themselves. A successful implementation, however, depends on several key factors, such as network security, the quality of the connection and location of users. Guillaume Séguin, Senior IT Security Consultant at OKIOK, explains how to install a secure Wi-Fi Network in just four steps. Read the full article as it appears in Les Affaires. »

A poorly protected Wi-Fi network leaves the door open to hijacking of bandwidth and puts organizations’ data at risk. The good news is that the cryptographic protocols used in today’s WPA (Wi-Fi Protected Access) and WPA2 keys are more reliable and difficult to crack than previous generations, such as WEP (Wired Equivalent Privacy). Guillaume Séguin, Senior IT Security Consultant at OKIOK, explains why in a recent article in Les Affaires. »

Wi-Fi offers many advantages over a traditional cable network. But before making a jump to wireless, it is important to identify your organization’s needs, in order to make sure that this is an appropriate move. Although some argue that cable is more reliable, the fact remains that Wi-Fi is gaining tremendous popularity. Some even predict that Wi-Fi could render cable extinct within five years. Evidence of this accelerating trend is the arrival of WiMax, a new wireless technology whose signal extends well over ten kilometers. Guillaume Séguin, Senior IT Security Consultant at OKIOK, discusses the latest developments in Les Affaires. »

Numerous security measures exist to protect both consumer and business e-commerce transactions. One mustn’t forget that even after data is transmitted securely during a transaction, it can still become a target by malicious attackers when stored on the vendor’s back-end system. Read the full article by Guillaume Seguin, Senior IT Security Consultant, as published (in French) by Direction Informatique. »

Ensuring a secure IT environment has gained tremendous momentum in recent years. Organizations are deploying rigorous and effective measures to protect their firewalls from viruses and other types of malware. Often, however, they fail to include employees in their effort to secure corporate assets. Read the full article by Francois Daigle, Director of Professional Services, as published (in French) in Direction Informatique. »

Losing your cell phone, as banal as it may seem, can have dangerous consequences if it winds up in the wrong hands. Data stored on an intelligent phone, such as an iPhone, can be intercepted and used maliciously to the detriment of the organization. In fact, 9,000 cell phones are reported as stolen each month in London taxis alone! Guillaume Seguin, Principal IT Security Consultant at OKIOK provides insights and lessons learned. Read the full article published (in French) in Les Affaires. »

The confidentiality of information, whether it belongs to an individual or an enterprise, should never be taken lightly. Too often information is found in the garbage or left unprotected where it can be easily collected and used by a malicious third party to commit identity fraud. Needless to say, a lack of vigilance can result in damage to the reputation of the organization who failed to protect identity. Guillaume Seguin, Senior IT Security Consultant at OKIOK comments on the problem. Read the full article published (in French) in Les Affaires. »

This year again, OKIOK, the oldest sponsor of this event, will be part in the 16th edition of the Colloque québécois de la sécurité de l’information to be held by the Association de la sécurité de l’information du Québec next September 29 and 30, 2008 in La Malbaie, Charlevoix, Québec. Come meet us at our booth, as we will be demonstrating to the 250 information security specialists from the private, public and academic fronts,our highly secure file transfer solution S-Filer/Portal.

Held under the theme: “Security, a risky matter or a matter of risk?”, the symposium will give the opportunity to attending experts to network and enrich their knowledge on the most recent issues challenging today’s information security managers. The symposium will be held in the Fairmont Le Manoir Richelieu, located at 181, Richelieu Street, La Malbaie, Quebec.

On the road of virtualization, businesses reduce their hardware while keeping just as much capacity. François Daigle discusses this matter with the business paper Les Affaires. Read the entire article (in French). »

On September 26, 2008, Mr. Claude Vigeant, President of OKIOK, will give a breakfast conference on identity and access management (IAM) at the room “Agora” of the Bell Solution Centre from 8:00 am to 10:00 am. He will debate whether this management expertise emerges as a real need for businesses, or is rather just a passing trend. Claude will discuss the new issues and challenges of IAM, emphasizing on actual solutions developed by the OKIOK’s recently established Centre of Innovation and Excellence in Identity and Access Management (CIEIAM) and inspired by the best practices of the information security industry. The conference is an initiative of the Association de sécurité informatique du Montréal métropolitain (ASIMM). For more details on the conference, including subscription and directions (in French), please click here. »

OKIOK has signed an agreement with the Mexican distributor Genea Creative. This expands the company’s presence further to Latin America, which market adds up to 100 million people. S-Filer/Portal, OKIOK’s flagship product, may be bought as is or customized. The solution should answer the need for securing the transfer of very heavy files, as 65 % of Mexican companies have suffered security breaches is the past. (Read full paper by Stéphane St-Amour in the Courrier Laval (in French). »

Genea Creative, a Mexican firm specialized in the management of creativity and new technologies for strategic business development, has signed an agreement for the distribution in Mexico of S-Filer/Portal, a highly secure file transfer solution developed by Canadian-based OKIOK, whose information security products and expertise are widely recognized by the banking, governmental, health and financial industries around the world. The deal brings OKIOK’s forefront information security product to the Mexican market, while helping Guadalajara-based Genea Creative serve its clients’ need for securing the transfer of heavy and sensitive files. »

Business travelers ought to take basic measures to protect the data they carry on their laptop or notebook. However, they now have to face more than the usual computer threats while on the road. Customs inspection is a new aspect they have to deal with. Read full article (in French) by Sylvain Poirier in Direction informatique. »

Mr. Claude Vigeant, President, OKIOK, has been attributed the Lise Blais-Paques Award for the year 2007-2008. The Award highlights Vigeant’s contribution to the development of Quebec’s information security industry. Formerly designated « Prix de la personnalité de l’année en sécurité de l’information » (Man or Woman of the Year in Information Security), the award is granted yearly by the l’Association de sécurité de l’information du Montréal Métropolitain (ASIMM). »

François Daigle tells about measures that must be taken to minimize risks associated with the loss of a USB key, as this was the case in March, 2008 at Service Canada, where an employee lost a USB key containing private information concerning more than 1500 Canadian citizens. Listen to the interview (in French) on RDI. »

The new Centre for Innovation and Excellence in Identity and Access Management (CIEIAM) launched by OKIOK today announced it is working with Novell Canada, Ltd. to bring together Quebec-based developers and specialists to form a team of experts highly specialized in the identity and security management space. The association will foster cutting-edge expertise and new technology development, methodologies and approaches for the deployment of identity and security management technologies for information networks of major domestic and international corporations. »

On June 1st, 2008, Guillaume Séguin and Daniel Boteanu, both senior consultants, Information Security at OKIOK, will participate as guest-speakers in the First Canada-France MITACS Workshop on Foundations and Practice of Security. Both experts will be speaking for an audience of students and scientists from the mathematical, computer science and engineering communities. Hosted in the Complexe des sciences Pierre-Dansereau of UQÀM in Montreal from May 31st to June 2nd, 2008, the MITACS Workshop aims to promote scientific collaboration, joint research programs and student exchanges. More on themes, schedules and directions. »

OKIOK and its research and industry partners thank all attendees for their presence at the launch of the Centre for Innovation and Excellence in Identity and Access Management (CIEIAM). The event, which was held on May 26 in the restaurant Le Santos, located in the Old-Montreal, was a great opportunity for all to discuss about the potential of a centre such as CIEIAM in developing new leading-edge solutions adapted to complex environments. See pictures to get a feel of the event, which sets a milestone in the information security industry. »

The CIEIAM creates exceptional forum for leading-edge knowledge, expertise, and technology solutions; École Polytechnique de Montréal to be the first educational institution to cooperate as partner. The world-class, multi-disciplinary team will cooperate on the design, implementation, and continuous improvement of forefront methods, processes, and technology for identity and access management (IAM), a high priority today for both public and private organizations. »

The cooperation of Sun Microsystems with the CIEIAM developers, researchers and highly dedicated experts to open new paths to innovation in identity and access management solutions – Sun Microsystems of Canada Inc. joins the ranks of the new CIEIAM launched by OKIOK. The Centre will pool Quebec-based developers and specialists into a team of experts highly specialized in the Identity and Access Management (IAM) space. »

Siemens, a world-wide solution provider of identity and access management solutions, is to provide international expertise, state-of-the-art technologies and opportunities for international joint projects in the IAM space through OKIOK’s new Centre for innovation and excellence in identity and access management (CiEiAM). »

The secure file transfer Web portal lets internal and external partners exchange complete directories. Version 2.0 of the S-Filer/Portal allows partners, clients, suppliers, and co-workers anywhere in the world to exchange confidential files, individually or in bulk, with the utmost security. »

The obligation to comply with Bill 198 in Canada and the SOX in the United-States forces public companies to testify that needed internal controls are in place. Each organization must find the approach to IT governance that fits its structure and operations. Article by Didier Bert. Published in Les Affaires. »

Mobility is becoming more and more popular. New security issues are emerging, while wireless devices are not always adequately protected. In the face of growing threats, it is critical for businesses to take action. Read full article by Guillaume Séguin (in French) in Direction informatique. »

Cindy Walsh, vice-président, Finance and Operations, was named director of the Board of LAVAL TECHNOPOLE on April 24, 2008. LAVAL TECHNOPOLE is an organization dedicated to the economic development of Laval City.

Ensuring secure electronic transactions begins first and foremost with risk management; this, in turn, establishes confidence, the sine qua non of fruitful business to business relations. Article by Didier Bert. Published in Les Affaires. »

To ensure data security, it is first necessary to control the risks related to user behaviour. Accordingly, not only must users be instructed in the best practices to ensure data security, but access must be properly managed. Article by Didier Bert. Published in Les Affaires. »

Ensuring a company’s data security is synonymous with protecting its revenues. It is particularly crucial where the sale of intellectual property, such as works of art or manufacturing processes, is concerned. Article by Didier Bert. Published in Les Affaires. »

The information security solutions development and consulting firm OKIOK signed an agreement with Channel Management International (CMI) for the distribution of its secure file transfer solution S-Filer/Portal. Read full article by Jean-François Ferland (in French) in Direction informatique. »

CMI, a channel management company of IT and physical security products, announced today that it will distribute S-Filer/Portal in Canada, an easy-to-use, highly secure file transfer solution developed by Quebec-based OKIOK. Read full press release. »

Portable technologies constitute a major source of risk. Strategic sources of information that must be protected include Smartphones, USB keys, and iPods. It is important, therefore, to establish guidelines for travelling workers or teleworkers. Read full article (in French) in Les Affaires. »

Smartphones are a major source of breach of confidentiality of information, and with good reason: most are not protected because they run on operating systems such as Windows or BlackBerry. Read full article (in French) in Les Affaires. »

IT managers seeking secure file transfer processes that do not involve having to go through a complicated process can turn to tailor-made solutions, which will increase their organization’s efficiency and competitiveness. Read full article by Claude Vigeant (in French) in Direction informatique. »

OKIOK will participate in the second edition of the Rendez-vous de la sécurité de l'information (RSI), organized by the Association de Sécurité de l'Information du Montréal Métropolitain (ASIMM), on May 27. Read full press release. »

Various standards can help organizations set up a secure IT environment. The most common are undoubtedly the internationally recognized ISO 27001 and 27002 standards. Using these achieves real results. Read full article by François Daigle (in French) in Direction informatique. »

Nothing creates bigger headaches for data security managers than telework. To better support teleworkers, organizations must include rules geared to them in their security policies. Read full article by Guillaume Séguin (in French) in Direction informatique. »

Common strategies in this age of globalization, mergers and acquisitions can be fraught with pitfalls when it comes to operations and privacy laws. From this perspective, a thorough review of information security measures and practices is vital. Article by Claude Vigeant. Published in Direction informatique. »

François Daigle, OKIOK’s Director of Professional Services, comments on Identity Management in an ITWorld article published in December 2007. Read full article by Tim Wilson in IT World Canada. »

As for hygiene, some basic ground rules apply to information security to avoid the vast majority of infections that can be transmitted to computer systems. Read full article by Claude Vigeant (in French) in Direction informatique. »

Thanks to specialized solutions, it is possible to simplify the process of transferring files while, at the same time, gaining a significant competitive edge. Read full article by Claude Vigeant (in French) in Direction informatique. »

When it comes to the protection of personal information, many Quebec companies are not aware of their legal obligations. Here are some basic rules and advice to help you establish a strategic vision concerning this subject. Read full slide show by François Daigle in IT Business.ca. »

Faced with the relative indifference of small and medium-sized enterprises to information security, providers of security solutions need to adapt their offering. Read full article by Claude Vigeant (in French) in Direction informatique. »

In spite of legislation to protect personal information that has been in force in Canada since 2001, a majority of companies have not implemented measures to bring them into full compliance with these laws. Read full article by François Daigle (in French) in Direction informatique. »

Because of strong growth, OKIOK is moving its offices to Centropolis in Laval. Since 2003, the company’s earnings have risen by over 50%, notably in the wake of agreements signed with Siemens and BetaSystems.

Specialists in the field of IT security and authentication software development, OKIOK, located in Laval, offers strategic consulting services and develops solutions such as S-Filer/Portal and S-Filer Encryptor. Founded in 1973 by Robert Walsh, the company is currently headed by Claude Vigeant and Cindy Walsh. The firm employs 35 people and boasts earnings that now stand at $5 million. Read full article by Richard Johnson (in French) in Argent. »

OKIOK’s objective is to be a Canadian leader in the field of security and grow its earnings to more than $50 million by 2012. The firm’s clients include the National Bank of Canada, BetaSystems AG, Siemens, the Laurentian Bank of Canada, Desjardins, Connexim, Hydro-Québec, Vidéotron, Transport Canada, Kone, KBC, AT&T, and the CSST. Read full article by Richard Johnson (in French) in Argent. »

OKIOK, a Quebec company devoted exclusively to information security, inaugurated its new offices at the Centropolis in Laval yesterday. As a result of its outstanding success, OKIOK moved its head office to more spacious and functional premises, to be able to meet its new needs and continue growing.

To maximize the protection of information, it is important to gauge the effectiveness of implemented measures within the context of a global vision. This includes defining corporate philosophy, evaluating security measures, and selecting performance indicators. Article by Claude Vigeant. Published in Direction informatique. »

The German company Siemens has chosen OKIOK’s authentication solution to integrate into its HiPath DirX SIcurity suite. The solution manages authentication through a single password, enabling thousands of users to exchange data over the Web securely, notably as part of border control projects and bank databases. OKIOK will continue to carry out research and development in collaboration with two Siemens’ teams, one in Germany and the other in the Czech Republic. Read full article by Hugo Joncas (in French) in Les Affaires. »

Cindy Walsh, Vice-President of Finance and Operations, discusses the need for organizations to provide working conditions and benefits that correspond to their field of activity. Read full article by Jean-François Barbe (in French) in PME. »

Recruiting experienced IT security consultants is an significant challenge. All the same, a workplace located in the suburbs holds a certain attraction for developers who are increasingly drawn away from the city to raise their children. Companies have to offer them interesting mandates within the context of major contracts. Read full article by Sylvie Lemieux (in French) in Les Affaires. »

Siemens Enterprise Communications, a world leader in the field of secure electronic communication technology, announced today that it has signed an agreement with OKIOK to collaborate on complementary and specialized services, from local 2nd-line support and customer-specific support services to Siemens’ growing number of Canadian clients. Read full press release. »

OKIOK announced today that it signed an agreement with the multinational company Siemens concerning the acquisition of Global Trust. “Global Trust is a product that we developed here in Laval over a period of three yeas and that has generated much interest from Siemens due to its quality and innovative nature,” said Claude Vigeant, President of OKIOK. Read full press release.»