Mining Consortium Strengthens Cyber Resilience Through Targeted Awareness and Communications Training
The Challenge
GranitePeak Resources, a Canadian mid-tier mining consortium operating in Ontario and British Columbia, faced recurring security incidents linked to human error and weak cybersecurity awareness across its operations. Employees and contractors working on-site and in remote exploration camps routinely exchanged sensitive data—including production metrics, environmental reports, and personnel records—over unsecured networks.
In one case, a phishing campaign impersonating an equipment supplier successfully tricked several staff members into opening malicious attachments, disrupting logistics scheduling systems and delaying shipments. Subsequent reviews revealed that many field and office employees were unaware of phishing indicators, password-sharing risks, or their obligations under the Personal Information Protection and Electronic Documents Act (PIPEDA).
Although GranitePeak had implemented advanced monitoring systems and aligned its IT policies with ISO/IEC 27001 and Canadian Centre for Cyber Security (CCCS) Baseline Controls, awareness gaps among human operators continued to expose the company to avoidable cyber and privacy risks. Leadership realized that true resilience required empowering people—not just technology—to act as the first line of defense.
Our Solution
Our Awareness and Communications Training team launched a tailored Cyber Safety and Privacy Awareness Program designed to engage mining professionals across field, plant, and administrative settings. The initiative integrated mining-specific case studies, interactive learning modules, and multilingual communication materials to ensure maximum relevance and accessibility. Key components included: The program emphasized cultural integration—positioning cybersecurity not as an IT obligation but as an essential part of operational safety and environmental responsibility.
- Role-Based Training Modules — Custom content for site engineers, plant operators, and corporate staff covering phishing, mobile device security, and data handling under PIPEDA.
- Simulated Phishing Exercises — Realistic campaigns to measure employee responses and reinforce proper reporting behavior.
- Incident Communication Playbooks — Step-by-step visual guides for breach detection, escalation, and containment aligned with CCCS and ISO/IEC 27001 standards.
- Awareness Media Toolkit — Posters, infographics, and newsletter templates distributed across offices, mine sites, and remote camps.
- Community and Contractor Outreach Sessions — Joint sessions with partner companies and local service providers to promote shared cybersecurity responsibility.
- Bilingual (English/French) Microlearning Content — Short mobile-friendly lessons accessible to rotating and seasonal staff.
The Value
Within six months, GranitePeak Resources recorded significant improvements in workforce awareness and compliance posture: Beyond metrics, the initiative built a culture of vigilance—making cybersecurity a routine part of daily operations, from control room terminals to executive boardrooms.
- 80% completion rate of mandatory training across all divisions within the first quarter.
- 65% reduction in phishing click-through rates across two simulation cycles.
- 50% increase in proactive reporting of suspicious activity and data-handling errors.
- Verified alignment with PIPEDA and CCCS Baseline Controls for employee training and breach-response obligations.
- Recognition by a provincial mining safety board for integrating cybersecurity into worker safety programs.
Implementation Roadmap
1. Assessment & Planning (Weeks 1–2): Conduct workforce awareness surveys and analyze prior incident data.
2. Program Design (Weeks 3–4): Develop training modules, communication templates, and bilingual microlearning materials.
3. Pilot & Simulation (Weeks 5–8): Launch initial phishing tests and evaluate employee engagement across departments.
4. Full Rollout (Weeks 9–12): Deploy program enterprise-wide; integrate communication playbooks and awareness kits.
5. Continuous Improvement (Ongoing): Refresh content quarterly, analyze KPI dashboards, and update materials for emerging threats.
