HSM IT ServicesIndustrial
Heavy industry, processing plants and industrial operations across Alberta rely on both business systems and operational technology at plants and remote sites. HSM IT Services helps industrial organizations secure corporate IT, protect the boundary with control systems and keep remote locations connected.
Industrial organizations in Alberta, from processing facilities and plants to utilities and heavy equipment operations, run two connected worlds. Corporate IT supports email, engineering, maintenance planning, procurement and finance. Operational technology, including industrial control systems, programmable logic controllers, SCADA and historians, runs the physical processes. Plants and remote sites may be far from major centres, with limited connectivity and small on-site teams responsible for keeping everything running safely. Supporting both environments takes an understanding of how they differ and where they meet.
Attackers increasingly target industrial organizations because disruption is costly and can affect safety. Many incidents begin on the IT side through phishing or stolen credentials and then move toward operational systems when networks are not properly separated. Remote access tools used by vendors and integrators are another common entry point. Older control systems often cannot be patched easily, so protection depends on segmentation, controlled access and careful monitoring rather than frequent updates.
Recognized frameworks such as the IEC 62443 series and NIST guidance for operational technology security provide a structured approach for these environments. Clients and insurers increasingly ask industrial companies about their controls, backups and incident response plans. Improving security in an industrial setting requires respect for safety, uptime and engineering processes. Changes need to be planned with operations and controls staff, tested carefully and introduced in a way that does not disrupt production.
Risks we see most
IT to OT pivot
Attackers who compromise office systems can move into control networks when segmentation is weak or missing.
Vendor and integrator remote access
Unmanaged remote access tools give outside parties, and potentially attackers, direct paths into plant systems.
Unpatchable legacy systems
Older control systems and HMIs often run unsupported software that cannot be easily updated.
Ransomware affecting operations
Even when control systems are not encrypted, loss of IT systems can force a plant to slow or stop production.
Remote site connectivity
Unreliable links at remote sites complicate monitoring, backups and secure access.
How HSM IT Services helps
- Network segmentation between corporate IT and operational technology
- Secure, monitored remote access for staff, vendors and integrators
- Asset inventory and vulnerability assessment planned around operational constraints
- Connectivity, cabling and wireless for plants, shops and remote sites
- Backups and recovery plans for business systems and supporting OT servers
- Incident response planning coordinated with operations and safety teams
Rules and standards that apply
- IEC 62443 series for industrial automation and control system security
- NIST SP 800-82 Guide to Operational Technology Security
- Alberta Personal Information Protection Act (PIPA)
- Client, insurer and contractual security requirements
This is general information, not legal advice. Confirm your obligations with your lawyer or regulator.
Services for this sector
Managed Detection and Response
Our Managed Detection and Response combines security tooling with analysts who watch your endpoints, identities, email and network for signs of attack. When a real threat appears, we investigate, contain it and guide your recovery, so small teams get enterprise-grade defence without building a security operations centre.
Learn moreNetwork and Firewall Management
Our Network and Firewall Management designs, secures and maintains the switches, Wi-Fi, firewalls and internet connections your organization depends on. We monitor performance, keep firmware current and review firewall rules so your network stays fast, stable and difficult for attackers to move through.
Learn moreVulnerability Management
Our Vulnerability Management continuously scans your devices, servers, network equipment and internet-facing systems for missing patches, misconfigurations and known weaknesses. We prioritize findings by real-world risk, coordinate remediation and track progress, so you fix what matters most first instead of chasing endless lists.
Learn moreStructured Cabling
Our Structured Cabling designs and installs Cat6 and Cat6A copper, fibre, patch panels and network racks for offices, clinics, warehouses and industrial sites. Every run is labelled, documented and certification tested, giving you a reliable physical network that is easy to support and ready for future growth.
Learn moreQuestions we hear
Will your security work disrupt plant operations?
We plan all work with your operations and controls teams, and we do not make changes to control systems without their involvement and approval. Assessments are scoped to avoid disrupting sensitive equipment, and changes are tested and scheduled for planned windows. Safety and uptime come first in every decision.
Our control systems cannot be patched. What can we do?
This is common. Protection then focuses on limiting who and what can reach those systems, through segmentation, controlled remote access, monitoring and application allow-listing where suitable. We help you document compensating controls and plan upgrades over time as equipment reaches end of life.
Do you replace our controls integrator?
No. Your controls integrator and engineers remain responsible for the control systems themselves. We focus on corporate IT, networks, remote access and the boundary between IT and OT. Working together with clear roles gives you stronger security without confusion over who is responsible for which systems.