For a company developing robotic technologies designed to monitor and protect sensitive sites, cybersecurity is a strategic priority. Glocal Robotics recently took another step forward in this area by adopting TurboDef, a secure IT environment designed in Canada to address, among other requirements, those of the Canadian Program for Cyber Security Certification (CPCSC).
Protecting Our Technologies and Intellectual Property
At Glocal Robotics, we are developing THALAMUS, an autonomous robotic platform designed to perform surveillance and security missions in demanding environments. Its development involves advanced technologies in robotics, artificial intelligence, autonomous navigation, perception, and telecommunications.
These activities involve handling sensitive information, including technical drawings, software, algorithms, test data, industrial documentation, and communications with our partners.
Protecting this information is essential, both to safeguard our intellectual property and to maintain the trust of the organizations we work with.
As our operations expand, particularly in the security and defense sectors, our cybersecurity requirements are also becoming increasingly important. Protecting computers and servers against unauthorized access is no longer enough. We must also manage access permissions, control the flow of information, document procedures, and demonstrate that security measures are effectively implemented.
An Infrastructure Designed to Meet Defense Requirements
The Canadian Program for Cyber Security Certification (CPCSC) is gradually introducing cybersecurity requirements for companies participating in the defense supply chain.
For Glocal Robotics, this development naturally aligns with our growth strategy.
We therefore began structuring our IT environment to meet CPCSC Level 1 requirements while preparing for our evolving future needs.
Rather than gradually modifying numerous independent systems and applications, we chose to operate within an integrated, secure environment.
This led us to adopt TurboDef, a solution designed entirely in Canada.
The solution allows us to consolidate the main tools required for our operations within a separate infrastructure hosted in Canada, with centralized management of users, documents, applications, and access permissions.
The environment also includes data backup, logging, and protection mechanisms, along with Governance, Risk, and Compliance (GRC) software designed to facilitate the monitoring of cybersecurity controls.
A Faster Compliance Process Than Expected
Bringing an IT infrastructure into compliance can be a significant undertaking for a technology company of our size.
Initial estimates from consultants suggested a relatively lengthy process involving substantial technical and organizational adjustments.
By choosing an environment already structured around cybersecurity requirements, we were able to significantly simplify this process.
As a result, we achieved CPCSC Level 1, which is based on a self-assessment, in approximately six weeks, nearly six months faster than initially estimated.
This approach also allowed us to avoid several infrastructure and integration investments, resulting in estimated overall savings of $150,000 compared with the original scenario.
Beyond these results, the main advantage lies in having a consistent, integrated environment without having to dedicate a disproportionate share of our internal resources to its implementation and operation.
Because TurboDef is offered as a Software as a Service (SaaS) subscription, we did not need to invest in purchasing new servers to establish this environment.
Cybersecurity as an Integral Part of Our Growth
Our approach goes beyond meeting compliance requirements.
For a company like Glocal Robotics, whose technologies can be used to protect sensitive facilities, cybersecurity must be integrated into every aspect of our operations.
This includes protecting source code and technical data, securing communications with partners, controlling access to documents, and ensuring business continuity.
Activity traceability and rigorous information management become particularly important when working with organizations subject to stringent security requirements.
Our adoption of TurboDef reflects this approach. It provides us with a structured IT foundation on which we can continue to grow.
Achieving CPCSC Level 1 represents an initial milestone. It does not eliminate the additional requirements that may apply to future contracts, particularly when a higher-level assessment is required.
Building on a Solid Foundation
Autonomous robotics is evolving rapidly, and the systems we develop are becoming increasingly interconnected.
This evolution creates new opportunities, but it also reinforces the importance of protecting the information, communications, and processes associated with these technologies.
By choosing to strengthen our IT environment now, we aim to support this evolution responsibly.
For Glocal Robotics, cybersecurity is not simply a regulatory obligation. It is an essential part of designing, developing, and operating technologies that our customers and partners can trust.
With this commitment in mind, we continue to develop THALAMUS and our autonomous robotics solutions.