Tech + Science

National Internet agency offers free cybersecurity to small businesses during COVID-19

By The Editors /

Companies with 100 or fewer employees can now add the Canadian Internet Registration Authority’s firewall to their networks and devices for six months

At the best of times, cyberattacks are a major threat to businesses of all sizes. The COVID-19 pandemic has left companies even more vulnerable to hackers as their employees adjust to working remotely. With that in mind, the Canadian Internet Registration Authority (CIRA) is now offering small businesses in B.C. and across the country free access to its cybersecurity services and infrastructure.

Until September 30, small businesses and non-profits with fewer than 100 employees can add CIRA DNS Firewall, a malware and phishing cybersecurity service, to their networks and devices for free. This six-month offer from Ottawa-based CIRA, which manages .CA domains, also applies to hospitals and other health-care facilities.

“The Internet has proven to be a critical lifeline for both Canada’s economy and society during these trying times,” said Mark Gaudet, CIRA’s business leader, security products, in a statement. “CIRA is proud to do what we can to help protect our critical services and small businesses from cyber-criminals attempting to take advantage of a difficult situation.”

Remote employees, health-care workers, and homebound teachers and students can also get early access to CIRA Canadian Shield, a free DNS firewall that protects their personal devices and home networks from malware and phishing attacks. To further help remote workers, students and teachers, Ottawa-based CIRA is offering a free Cybersecurity Awareness Training course, too.

For more details on the new CIRA initiative, click here.