Real-World Cybersecurity Incident: Toronto Small and Medium Business Under Attack

Recent headlines have shown how disruptive cyberattacks can be — from the Nova Scotia Power cyber attack to airlines like Westjet cyber attack. These stories make it clear that no sector is immune.

But while global conflicts and large corporations dominate the news, small and medium-sized businesses (SMBs) are increasingly in the crosshairs as well. A survey by the Business Development Bank of Canada (BDC) revealed that 73 % of SMBs have encountered a cyber incident such as phishing, malware, or DDoS attacks. Similarly, KPMG Canada reports that 72 % of SMB leaders confirmed their organizations were attacked in the last year, up from 63 % the year prior.

These figures highlight the urgent reality: SMBs are not too small to be targeted – they’re increasingly under assault. That’s why demonstrating how rapidly a compromised network can derail operations through real-world examples is critical.

In this article, we share the story of a Toronto-based firm that unknowingly became part of an illegal peer-to-peer content distribution network – and how professional services for IT helped the company regain stability and security.

The Challenge: A Business Paralyzed by Its Own Network

On a winter morning in early 2023, a bustling downtown Toronto company of over fifty employees suddenly found itself paralyzed by technology it could no longer trust. Shared files opened slowly or not at all, emails were delayed, and routine tasks began taking much longer than usual. The slowdown wasn’t just an inconvenience — it was bleeding the business of time and money. Internal estimates suggested that productivity had dropped by nearly 40% each week, an alarming hit for a company that relied on constant communication and fast access to data.

The Discovery: A Business Hijacked

“When I arrived, it looked like a simple slowdown, but network analysis showed the company’s systems were actually being used as part of a global piracy network. It was a clear reminder that even small businesses can become targets.”
Kevin Creechan, Chief Information Security Officer

Behind the scenes, the company’s infrastructure was being used as part of a global peer-to-peer distribution network, pushing out more than 250 gigabytes of pirated movies and television shows each week. The office had unknowingly become an accessory to international digital piracy, its systems transformed into broadcasting towers for stolen media.

The Response: From Crisis to Control

Step 1 - Containment

The immediate priority was to cut the criminals off. IBC isolated the infected systems from the network and locked down the outdated, consumer-grade firewall with new credentials, sealing off the entry point.

Step 2 - Remediation

With the attackers blocked, recovery could begin. The obsolete firewall was replaced with a business-class security appliance. The compromised machines were wiped and rebuilt, while enterprise-grade antivirus, monitoring, and endpoint protection were rolled out company-wide to prevent a repeat breach.

Step 3 - Modernization

But true security required more than patching holes. The firm’s email was migrated to Microsoft 365, providing reliable, encrypted communication. IBC aligned the environment with NIST cybersecurity standards, and staff were trained to recognize phishing attempts and use built-in security tools effectively.

Before vs After Results

Metric

Before Incident

After Remediation

Average network speed

2 Mbps (frequent slowdowns)

100 Mbps stable

Malware incidents

3 active infections

0 active infections

Employee downtime

~10 hours/week

<1 hour/week

Firewall security

Consumer-grade, outdated

Business-class, NIST-aligned

Conclusion

Cybersecurity incidents like this are no longer rare events – they represent a growing risk for every small and medium business. With the rise of artificial intelligence, cybercriminals are developing faster and more sophisticated methods to exploit vulnerabilities, making it even harder for companies to protect themselves with limited in-house resources. The consequences can be severe:

  • lost productivity
  • financial costs
  • reputational damage
  • potential legal exposure.

At IBC Computers, we understand these challenges because we solve them every day. Our goal is to give local businesses the protection, monitoring, and expertise they need to stay secure and focused on growth. Whether it’s proactive monitoring, rapid response, or long-term infrastructure planning, we are right here in your community to help keep your business safe.

Talk to our experts today about Managed IT Services in Brantford and discover how tailored IT support services can safeguard your business.

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