Canadian Construction Firm Strengthens Compliance and Client Confidence Through Comprehensive Cyber Audit and Attestation Program

The Challenge

CedarPoint Constructors, a national construction and engineering services firm, began facing heightened scrutiny from public infrastructure clients and regulatory bodies concerning its cybersecurity assurance and compliance maturity. Despite maintaining robust technical defenses, the company lacked a formalized audit and attestation framework capable of demonstrating its adherence to data protection and operational security standards.

A client-led due diligence review uncovered gaps in documentation related to system access, incident response testing, and subcontractor compliance reporting. These deficiencies delayed contract renewals and raised insurer concerns about CedarPoint’s cyber readiness. The absence of third-party validation also jeopardized ISO/IEC 27001 recertification and limited eligibility for major government-funded infrastructure projects.

Internally, audit preparation was fragmented across departments, with limited visibility into how IT and operational controls were being tested or evidenced. Leadership recognized that without an integrated audit and attestation program, even effective controls would remain unverifiable—undermining the company’s credibility and compliance standing under the Personal Information Protection and Electronic Documents Act (PIPEDA) and other industry frameworks.

Our Solution

Our Audit and Attestation team was engaged to design and implement a Construction Cyber Audit and Compliance Attestation Program tailored to CedarPoint’s complex, multi-site operational environment. The engagement began with a comprehensive review of the control landscape across corporate, project, and subcontractor systems. Using this baseline, we mapped existing controls against ISO/IEC 27001, SOC 2 Type II, and Canadian Centre for Cyber Security (CCCS) Baseline Controls to identify and close critical assurance gaps.

Key measures included the development of an enterprise-wide audit and testing schedule integrating IT, field technology, and vendor environments. Independent control testing and evidence collection were performed across data handling, access management, and incident response domains. We implemented compliance dashboards providing real-time visibility into control effectiveness, regulatory alignment, and insurer reporting obligations. Our team also coordinated with external certification bodies to streamline ISO/IEC 27001 recertification and SOC 2 readiness, culminating in an executive attestation report verifying compliance, data integrity, and operational resilience.

This structured approach transformed CedarPoint’s fragmented compliance processes into a verifiable, audit-ready framework capable of sustaining trust and contractual eligibility in the competitive construction sector.

The Value

Within six months, CedarPoint Constructors achieved measurable improvements in both compliance efficiency and stakeholder confidence. The company successfully renewed its ISO/IEC 27001 certification and achieved SOC 2 Type II readiness, providing third-party assurance of its cybersecurity controls. Client contract renewals were expedited through verified audit attestations, while compliance preparation time for future reviews was reduced by over 60% through centralized dashboards and standardized evidence tracking.

These improvements strengthened relationships with insurers and auditors, resulting in a 20% reduction in cyber insurance premiums. The firm also restored eligibility for high-value public infrastructure projects requiring validated cybersecurity assurance. Most importantly, CedarPoint established a culture of accountability, transparency, and continuous assurance that elevated its reputation as a secure and trusted construction partner.

Implementation Roadmap

1. Assessment (Weeks 1–3): Conduct control environment review; evaluate readiness and gather baseline documentation.
2. Framework Alignment (Weeks 4–6): Map controls to ISO/IEC 27001, SOC 2, and PIPEDA; define audit evidence and reporting structure.
3. Testing and Validation (Weeks 7–12): Perform independent control testing and evidence collection across IT, project, and vendor systems.
4. Attestation (Weeks 13–16): Produce executive audit and attestation reports for clients, regulators, and insurers.
5. Continuous Assurance (Ongoing): Maintain compliance dashboards, conduct quarterly control reviews, and prepare for annual certification audits.

Info Sheet

Necessary Action Type and Steps to Be Taken:

• Conduct comprehensive control readiness and documentation review.
  – Implement formal audit and attestation framework aligned with ISO/IEC 27001, SOC 2, and PIPEDA.
  – Perform independent testing and validation of IT, OT, and project systems.
  – Deploy compliance tracking dashboards for real-time audit visibility.
  – Engage third-party auditors for certification and ongoing assurance.
  – Train key personnel on evidence management, audit readiness, and attestation responsibilities.

Industry Sector:
Construction — Infrastructure and Engineering Services

Applicable Legislation:
– PIPEDA (Personal Information Protection and Electronic Documents Act)
– ISO/IEC 27001 (Information Security Management)
– SOC 2 Type II (Trust Service Criteria)
– Canadian Cyber Security Standards (CCCS Baseline Controls)

Third Parties:
– External audit and certification body (ISO and SOC 2)
– Managed IT and project service providers supporting infrastructure controls
– Insurance underwriters requiring compliance validation
– Legal and regulatory advisors ensuring privacy and data-handling conformance
– Infrastructure clients conducting supplier security assessments