Retailer Expands IT Team Amid Insider Threat Concerns and Lax Staff Certification

The Challenge

Cedar Retail, a Canadian retail chain, observed unusual access patterns within its internal network, raising concerns about potential insider threats. Investigation revealed that several IT staff members lacked up-to-date cybersecurity certifications and formal training on internal access controls. The combination of limited staff expertise and unclear governance over sensitive data increased the risk of accidental or malicious insider incidents. Management realized that immediate action was required to strengthen staffing policies and minimize internal security risks.

Our Solution

Our Professional Staffing and Certifications team assisted Cedar Retail by:

Conducting a skills and certification audit of IT and operational staff.

Implementing a mandatory cybersecurity certification and continuous learning program for relevant staff.

Defining clear internal access policies and role-based controls to reduce insider threat risk.

Establishing monitoring and alerting mechanisms for abnormal access or data handling.

Advising management on recruitment and staffing strategies to ensure compliance with security standards.

The Value

Reduced insider risk exposure by strengthening staff knowledge and certification compliance.

Increased operational security through role-based access and monitoring.

Enhanced governance and accountability across IT and operational teams.

Improved readiness for audits and regulatory compliance under PIPEDA.

Implementation Roadmap

Staff Audit: Evaluate current certifications, skills, and access levels.

Risk Assessment: Identify potential insider threat risks associated with staff roles.

Training and Certification: Implement mandatory certification programs and continuous education.

Access Control: Enforce role-based permissions and monitoring.

Recruitment Advisory: Hire staff with verified certifications to fill skill gaps.

Continuous Oversight: Periodically review staff compliance, access, and training effectiveness.

Info Sheet

Necessary Action Type and Steps: Staff audit, certification enforcement, role-based access, insider monitoring, recruitment advisory.

Sector: Retail Trade

Applicable Legislation: PIPEDA, Canadian cybersecurity regulations.

Third Parties: Training providers, recruitment agencies, security consultants.