Canadian Construction Firm Rebuilds Workforce Competency Through Targeted Cybersecurity Staffing and Certification Program

The Challenge

NorthPeak Construction Services, a major Canadian contractor specializing in infrastructure and civil engineering projects, encountered growing cybersecurity and compliance challenges as its digital transformation accelerated. The rapid integration of smart-site technologies, remote project management platforms, and connected equipment systems outpaced the cybersecurity knowledge of its workforce. While IT systems were well maintained, field and engineering staff lacked the necessary technical training and recognized certifications to manage and protect digital assets effectively.

The gap became evident after a credential compromise involving a subcontractor’s site access system disrupted project workflows and triggered regulatory reporting obligations under the Personal Information Protection and Electronic Documents Act (PIPEDA). Subsequent reviews revealed inconsistent cybersecurity practices across regional offices and limited internal capability to meet client assurance requirements. Competition for qualified cybersecurity professionals in the construction sector compounded the issue, making recruitment difficult and retention even harder. Without a structured program to build internal capability, NorthPeak faced growing exposure to operational, contractual, and reputational risk.

Our Solution

Our Professional Staffing and Certifications team partnered with NorthPeak Construction to design and deploy a Construction Cyber Workforce Development and Certification Program tailored to its field operations, compliance obligations, and strategic growth objectives. We began with a comprehensive skills and capability assessment to benchmark existing staff proficiency against industry standards and client cybersecurity requirements.

Using these insights, we developed a tiered staffing and certification roadmap that established clear pathways for professional growth in cybersecurity, data protection, and operational technology security. New roles were defined to bridge IT and project operations, supported by targeted recruitment and internal upskilling initiatives. We collaborated with accredited training and certification bodies to deliver programs aligned with ISO/IEC 27001, the NIST Cybersecurity Framework, and sector-specific standards for industrial control and site systems security.

Core training streams included CompTIA Security+, Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP), and Construction Systems Cybersecurity Specialist (CSCS) designations. To ensure program longevity, NorthPeak launched a certification reimbursement and mentoring program, linking employee development goals to operational KPIs. A centralized credential management platform was implemented to monitor certification status, renewal cycles, and compliance alignment across project teams.

The Value

Within nine months, NorthPeak transformed its cybersecurity capability and workforce resilience. The number of certified cybersecurity professionals increased by 55%, significantly reducing dependence on third-party consultants and improving internal incident response times. Compliance readiness for client cybersecurity assessments improved to 100%, enabling the firm to retain and win major infrastructure contracts requiring demonstrable cyber assurance. Employee satisfaction and retention rose through structured career development incentives, while the company renewed its cyber insurance coverage at more favorable terms.

By integrating professional staffing, targeted certifications, and long-term capability development, NorthPeak positioned its workforce as a strategic asset—strengthening operational security, regulatory compliance, and competitive advantage in the Canadian construction sector.

Implementation Roadmap

• Assessment (Weeks 1–3): Conduct workforce skills and certification gap analysis across IT, operations, and project management teams.
• Program Design (Weeks 4–6): Develop tiered certification roadmap, define competency targets, and select training partners.
• Deployment (Weeks 7–12): Recruit specialized staff, enroll internal personnel in certification programs, and launch credential tracking tools.
• Enablement (Weeks 13–16): Implement mentoring and certification reimbursement initiatives; integrate metrics into HR performance systems.
• Continuous Improvement (Ongoing): Review certification status quarterly, adjust training to new compliance requirements, and maintain workforce readiness dashboards.

Info Sheet

Necessary Action Type and Steps to Be Taken:

• Conduct capability and workforce assessment to identify cybersecurity and privacy skill gaps.
  – Implement structured certification programs covering cybersecurity, privacy, and operational technology security.
  – Partner with accredited training providers for recognized certifications (e.g., CISSP, CompTIA Security+, CSCS).
  – Deploy credential tracking systems for compliance and audit readiness.
  – Integrate certification progress into HR performance reviews and talent development plans.
  – Maintain continuous learning and recertification aligned with PIPEDA, ISO/IEC 27001, and national construction cybersecurity standards.

Industry Sector:
Construction — Infrastructure, Civil Engineering, and Project Management

Applicable Legislation:

• PIPEDA (Personal Information Protection and Electronic Documents Act)
  – ISO/IEC 27001 (Information Security Management)
  – NIST Cybersecurity Framework
  – Canadian Cyber Security Standards for Construction Workforce Development

Third Parties:

• Accredited certification and training providers
  – Workforce development and HR consulting partners
  – Industry associations supporting construction cybersecurity training
  – Cyber insurance underwriters validating workforce competency
  – Public and private infrastructure clients requiring cybersecurity assurance