The ITeam

10/12/2026

Happy Thanksgiving from all of us at The ITeam!

We hope your day is filled with good food, good company, and time to enjoy the people who matter most.

10/08/2026

Cyber Security Awareness Month is here, and this year’s message is especially relevant: your best defence is you.

But for businesses, individual awareness is only part of the equation.

Phishing emails, AI-generated content, fake voices and other increasingly convincing scams mean employees need more than a warning to “be careful.” They need clear processes for verifying requests, reporting suspicious activity and knowing what to do when something goes wrong.

Our October newsletter looks at what businesses can do to turn good cybersecurity habits into a stronger, more reliable approach to protecting their people, systems and information. We also look at a recent attempted AI-agent hack involving Library and Archives Canada.

Read the October ITeam newsletter: https://mailchi.mp/theiteam/october-2026

10/06/2026

Ransomware groups continue to evolve, and so do the tactics they use to create pressure and profit from their attacks.

Cybercriminals are not standing still. Organizations cannot afford to rely on outdated assumptions about how ransomware works or what an attack might look like.

A strong security strategy requires continuous monitoring, tested response plans and a willingness to adapt as the threat landscape changes.

https://thehackernews.com/2026/08/ransom-busters-claims-it-hacked.html

Ransom Busters claims ransomware server access and asks victims for $20,000 to $60,000 to recover files and delete stolen data.

10/05/2026

Phishing scams can look real, especially with AI. Learn the warning signs and stay one step ahead.

https://theiteam.ca/ai-risk-management/identity-access-management-for-ai-agents/phishing

10/01/2026

AI is becoming part of the modern IT environment, and that means AI itself is becoming a target.

As cybercriminals discover ways to manipulate, bypass or exploit AI systems, organizations need to consider AI security as part of their broader cybersecurity strategy. New technology can introduce new efficiencies, but it can also create new paths for attackers.

Security needs to be part of the AI conversation from the beginning, not added after vulnerabilities are discovered.

https://www.cybersecuritydive.com/news/google-cloudaccenture/827689/

Network defenders are racing to secure their IT systems before criminal and state-actors circumvent existing guardrails.

09/30/2026

Your IT infrastructure is no longer just the foundation that keeps systems running. It is a strategic business asset that impacts security, productivity, scalability, and growth.

For organizations in Calgary, Edmonton, and Vancouver, modern infrastructure requires more than technology upgrades. It requires a proactive approach that aligns IT decisions with business goals.

The right IT partner helps you build an environment that is secure, resilient, and ready for what comes next.

https://theiteam.ca/managed-it/modern-business-it-infrastructure/

09/29/2026

A stolen password does not have to come from your network to put your business at risk.

Employee credentials can be exposed through breaches, reused across multiple accounts or compromised long before an organization realizes there is a problem. That gives cybercriminals a valuable head start.

Credential security cannot be a set-it-and-forget-it exercise. Continuous monitoring, strong authentication and fast response can make the difference between an exposed credential and a successful attack.

https://www.helpnetsecurity.com/2026/07/30/enzoic-credential-exposure-risks-report/

Growing credential exposure risks leave organizations racing to detect compromised accounts before attackers can exploit them.

09/24/2026

Paying a ransomware demand does not guarantee the end of an attack.

In many cases, organizations face additional risks after paying, including repeat attacks, further extortion attempts, and continued exposure of sensitive information.

The strongest ransomware strategy is preparation: strong security controls, employee awareness, tested backups, and a response plan that doesn't rely on negotiating with attackers.

https://www.techradar.com/pro/security/bad-news-paying-a-ransomware-demand-might-cause-hackers-to-come-back-and-ask-for-more

Hackers really have no incentive to walk away from a victim, experts say

09/22/2026

Businesses are moving quickly to adopt AI agents. But a critical question remains:

How do you secure something that can make decisions, access systems, and take action on your behalf?

AI agents are changing the identity landscape. They are not traditional users, but they still require authentication, permissions, monitoring, and governance.

Security teams need to think beyond protecting human accounts. The next challenge is managing non-human identities and ensuring AI systems have only the access they need. https://www.techradar.com/pro/security/agentic-security-doesnt-need-a-whole-new-definition-you-just-need-to-reframe-what-you-already-know

The future of AI adoption depends on building trust into every automated action.

https://theiteam.ca/ai-risk-management/identity-access-management-for-ai-agents/

AI agents need their own identities, controls and accountability

09/21/2026

Is your business ready for AI, or are you simply adding more tools?

Before investing in AI at scale, it's important to understand your workflows, data, security risks, and where human oversight is essential.

We offer a practical checklist to help you get started. You should be able to answer these 10 AI-readiness questions.

Read the blog: https://theiteam.ca/ai-risk-management/ai-readiness-checklist-for-business-leaders/