Small and medium-sized organizations face mounting cybersecurity challenges, yet many lack the resources and specialized expertise to build robust defenses against evolving threats. This practical guide emerges from Open North’s work with the Montréal en Commun program community, where we identified cybersecurity as a critical gap that organizations need to address to protect their data and maintain public trust. Developed through our data governance workstream, this resource reflects the real experiences and needs of civic-minded organizations while managing sensitive information responsibly.
The guide provides actionable self-assessment tools and clear guidance that organizations can implement immediately, without requiring external expertise or significant budget allocation.
From understanding the principles of cybersecurity to navigating Canadian privacy laws like Quebec’s Law 25, this resource helps organizations build stronger security practices while preparing for more comprehensive audits and assessments. Whether your organization is just beginning its cybersecurity policies or looking to strengthen existing practices, this guide offers the practical foundation needed to protect your data, comply with legal requirements, and maintain the trust of the communities you serve.
Related resources
- Guide to Data-Sharing Agreements
- Data Quality in Practice
- Getting to Know Your Data
- Cybersecurity for Small and Medium-Sized Organizations
- Privacy principles and practices for compliance with Law 25
- Personal data flow mapping
- Data Privacy Policy
- Generative AI in your organization
- Risk identification and mitigation tool
- Mobility data anonymization