Advanced Cybersecurity for Small and Medium-sized Compagnies with StreamScan

A few years ago, two hundred days passed before a company discovered that it had been the victim of a cyberattack. Karim Ganame, cybersecurity researcher and teacher at the École Polytechnique de Montréal, founded StreamScan in 2011, to help small and medium-sized businesses protect themselves at an affordable cost. “Despite the tools in place, the networks are very large and hackers continue to exploit blind spots. I launched StreamScan to provide global network visibility, a 360-degree view”, explains the PhD in cybersecurity. The company works mainly with manufacturing and pharmaceutical companies, as well with SMEs.

Organizations that want to increase their security level often do not know where to start. StreamScan helps them define their needs to mitigate the real risk with which they have to deal on a daily basis: “We have internal ethical hackers, who are on the safe side, who are there to develop technologies to outsmart the real pirates”. Thanks to a global assessment and penetration tests, SMEs benefit from personalized recommendations to reduce the risks and impacts of cyberattacks.

For organizations that do not have an internal security team, Streamscan offers a remote security monitoring service, called MDR (Managed Detection and Response), and acts as an extension of the internal IT teams. Streamscan is also recognized for its expertise in responding to security incidents, including the management of ransomware cases.

Cutting-edge technology

Mr. Ganame’s team, which now numbers around 20 people, has developed a unique intrusion detection system, called CDS, to quickly spot signs of an attack: “We use artificial intelligence to model abnormal behaviors.” This automation allows for impressive speed and efficiency. CDS technology has been selected as an Innovation by the Government of Canada.

“It’s unrealistic that humans do everything. There is not enough manpower”, says Ganame. With this in mind, the specialist has assembled a research and development team in collaboration with the École Polytechnique de Montréal and the École de technologie supérieure and other Canadian universities.

Plans for the future?

“Since the pandemic, we have seen an increase in cyberattacks, the creation of new scenarios. With remote access and telecommuting, we have no choice but to readjust our approach“, adds Mr. Ganame, whose team works primarily remotely.

For the coming years, StreamScan will continue its projects in artificial intelligence. In addition to collaborating with the Canadian Air Force and several Quebec and Canadian companies, the company plans to expand abroad.

In-Sec-M: an essential ecosystem

StreamScan is an early member of In-Sec-M. “We were able to participate in events and develop partnerships with companies here. StreamScan was able to access the Quebec Cybersecurity Innovation Program (PICQ)“, said Mr. Ganame.

In conclusion, the field of cybersecurity is constantly evolving. However, certain works have stood the test of time and continue to awaken minds. Karim Ganame suggests to all fans The Art of Intrusion, a book by Kevin Mitnik, published in 2005.

To read other portraits: Watsec Cyber Risk Management for SMEs