Packetlabs is a Canadian-based CREST and SOC 2 Type II-accredited cybersecurity firm that delivers best-in-class cybersecurity solutions that go beyond the checkbox for SMBs and enterprises across North America.ย
The benefits of engaging with Packetlabs extend beyond mere compliance; we provide actionable intelligence that organizations can use to fortify their defences. By identifying weaknesses that others may overlook, Packetlabs empowers its clients to make informed decisions about their security strategies. Our consultants are not only skilled in identifying vulnerabilities but are also committed to ongoing learning, ensuring that they are equipped to navigate the complexities of modern networks and evade potential controls.
Through our 95% manual penetration testing methodology (and 0% outsourcing guarantee), we offer several solutions that push the envelope on securityโand guarantee full regulatory and cyber insurance compliance.
In summary, Packetlabs stands out in the cybersecurity field by offering a robust suite of services designed to uncover and address vulnerabilities through expert penetration testing. Our focus on manual testing, continuous learning, and thoroughness positions us as a valuable partner for organizations seeking to enhance their security posture in an increasingly complex threat landscape.
Packetlabs Ltd. offers competitive pricing with projects typically ranging from $14,000 to $150,000 CAD. Clients consistently report good value for cost and effective budgeting, highlighting strong communication and project management throughout engagements.
Clients appreciated Packetlabs Ltd.'s customer-focused approach, noting their flexibility, personalized service, and willingness to go above and beyond to meet client needs.
Impressive Technical Proficiency
Packetlabs Ltd. has a team of highly skilled professionals with extensive experience in cybersecurity, which allows them to identify weaknesses and provide valuable insights to enhance security measures.
Innovative Testing Techniques
Packetlabs Ltd. employs unique and innovative testing techniques that go beyond standard procedures, providing clients with deeper insights into their security posture.
Constructive Feedback and Guidance
Clients valued the constructive feedback and guidance provided by Packetlabs Ltd., which helped them understand and address security vulnerabilities effectively.
Minor Areas for Improvement
A few clients mentioned minor areas for improvement, such as better explanation of certain technical aspects or slight miscommunications, but these were generally not seen as significant issues.
Flexible and Accommodating
The team at Packetlabs Ltd. is noted for their flexibility and willingness to accommodate client schedules and specific requirements, making them easy to work with.
โTheyโre very accommodating and try their best to make sure weโre satisfied.โ
Mar 18, 2021
Manager of Technical Services, Manufacturing Company
Anonymous
Manufacturing
Canada
11-50 Employees
Phone Interview
Verified
Packetlabs Ltd. provides cybersecurity and application testing services for a manufacturing company. Their team conducts a pen test and a vulnerability pen test. The deliverable is a comprehensive report.
The partner is happy with the services and deliverables. Packetlabs Ltd. is detail-oriented as well as abides by maintenance windows and the change management process. They stay on track with the scope and within budget. Responsiveness and personal touch are hallmarks of their work.
A Clutch analyst personally interviewed this
client over the phone. Below is an edited
transcript.
BACKGROUND
Introduce your business and what you do there.
Iโm the manager of technical services for a manufacturing company. Weโre one of the biggest North American steel companies. We sell steel, and we fabricate. Our company has a distribution center and also sells energy products like pipelines for oil companies, etc.
OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE
What challenge were you trying to address with Packetlabs Ltd.?
They were using a pen test vendor when I joined the company. In my strategy, Iโd normally refresh the pen test vendor every 2โ3 years because they become very familiar with our environment and can lose the interaction of looking at vulnerabilities. We needed help with securing our environment.
SOLUTION
What was the scope of their involvement?
We do an annual penetration test environment. This is where we provide Packetlabs Ltd. with our IP address, our public-facing, our internal IP addresses, all the servers, all the websites, various applications that weโre using, etc. They did a control pen test and a vulnerability pen test.
Their team looks at where we were vulnerable due to lack of punching, etc. where there are programs that were coded but they were coding services that were spun up and should not be spun up, cases where they had weak passwords, etc. There were various areas they looked at.
Packetlabs Ltd. did the pen test and then provided a very comprehensive, detailed report to us. They give us the high, medium, and low reasons; what the vulnerabilities are; and what we need to do to address the particular job. Using that information, we create a control registrar. I take all these activities and assign them out to my team.
I also work with Packetlabs Ltd., and we secure these various ideas by patching updates, making changes, etc. Then, we engage them to do a second penetration test to see if weโve addressed the gaps or if there are still existing gaps. We go back and address it again. Then they do another test to make sure thereโs nothing we overlooked.
Theyโre still working with me. Iโll continue working with them. I do change vendors every 2โ3 years. The annual pen test, Iโll give to someone else. Itโs not because of any fault of theirs. Itโs just my process. If we introduce new applications to our production environment, I still keep them on to do those vulnerability assessments.
What is the team composition?
They normally assign a dedicated project manager to us who is with us from start to finish. In the background, they work with members of this team to get the work done.
How did you come to work with Packetlabs Ltd.?
I knew them previously when I worked at another company. Packetlabs Ltd. had done some pen tests and vulnerability assessments as well as showed their skills. They were very competent in the space. When I started working here, it was an easy decision to bring them on board.
They put a portfolio together for me. I explained what I was looking for, and they put a business case together of reasons why we should use them. I had to sell this idea to my senior management in terms of selecting the next company to work with us for our penetration testing. Senior management agreed after looking at their company profile. Shortly after that, we started the engagement.
How much have you invested with them?
Weโve invested $150,000.
What is the status of this engagement?
We started working together in June 2014, and our engagement is ongoing.
RESULTS & FEEDBACK
What evidence can you share that demonstrates the impact of the engagement?
Theyโre very communicative. When they engaged us and needed to do any testing, they scheduled it with us. Packetlabs Ltd. makes sure they go through our change management process. They abide by the maintenance windows that we provided for them if they need to go over them or support them. Their team asks for approval to do that. If we donโt approve it, theyโll stop the testing and continue testing in a new window that was approved.
From the reports themselves and the assessment they do, challenge and engagement on the report of why this is here and why this is red, medium, high, or low โ the report is definitely always accurate. They do have reasons as to why they classified the different ratings of the vulnerability.
Packetlabs Ltd. is a partner; not a transaction-type company. I can engage them as many times as I want. I even have direct access to the owner of the company as well and his people assigned to our business. We have no issues getting the answers we need. They support us with a personal touch.
How did Packetlabs Ltd. perform from a project management standpoint?
Packetlabs Ltd. laid out the scope and is always on target with it. If we want extra work that wasnโt in the scope, they donโt nickel and dime us. Theyโll just take care of it if itโs not really big. From a project perspective, whatever we agree on, they stay within budget. Their team follows a standard project methodology. Iโm pretty keen on it. They do a very good job.
We interact with our project manager and they set up certain servers and tools that need to get configured and set up to get access to environments. We set that up as well. All activities filter through this one person assigned to the activity.
What did you find most impressive about them?
The thing I like about them is the personal touch. I can call them anytime and ask questions. It doesnโt have to be related to my engagement with them. It could be a security product Iโm looking at or a vulnerability Iโm concerned about. I can reach out and Iโll get a phone call or email. Itโs a true partnership.
We have access to them on an ongoing basis. Packetlabs Ltd. is very flexible in terms of our needs. We get the report. If we have additional questions or ask the same questions three times, theyโre very patient with us. Theyโre very accommodating and try their best to make sure weโre satisfied.
Are there any areas they could improve?
No, thereโs nothing that comes to mind.
Do you have any advice for potential customers?
Work closely with them initially to really define your environment and scope in terms of what you want out of the engagement. It helps a lot upfront. The more they know about you, the better results youโll get. Less ambiguity is good as well.
RATINGS
4.5
Quality
4.5
Service & Deliverables
Schedule
5.0
On time / deadlines
Cost
4.5
Value / within estimates
"Theyโre always willing to negotiate and accommodate within our budget."
Willing to Refer
5.0
NPS
Security Testing for Benefit Solutions Company
Mobile App Development
$10,000 to $49,999
Sep. - Nov. 2020
5.0
Quality
5.0
Schedule
5.0
Cost
4.5
Willing to Refer
5.0
โThey were professional and clearly understood security.โ
Mar 16, 2021
Senior Director Technology, Benefit Solutions Company
Anonymous
Financial services
Toronto, Ontario
201-500 Employees
Phone Interview
Verified
Packetlabs Ltd. reviewed security features on the clientโs applications. They outlined major issues, presented their findings, and provided details and context to simplify the remediation process.
Packetlabs Ltd. successfully identified new and preexisting issues, making it easy for the client to resolve them. The team often went above and beyond to explore issues further and provide valuable information for the client. As a result, the platforms are now completely secure.
A Clutch analyst personally interviewed this
client over the phone. Below is an edited
transcript.
BACKGROUND
Introduce your business and what you do there.
Iโm the senior director of technology for a third-party benefits administrator that provides health and dental insurance.
OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE
What challenge were you trying to address with Packetlabs Ltd.?
Over the last few years, weโve modernized a lot of our IT infrastructure, so we brought on Packetlabs Ltd. to assess where we stood in terms of security. Packetlabs Ltd. identified holes in our IT infrastructure and deficiencies in our security posture.
SOLUTION
What was the scope of their involvement?
At the beginning of the project, we gave them a list of things we want them to look at. For example, we asked them to review how outside parties can affect our web properties. We also asked them to dive into our custom applications because we developed them ourselves and needed to make sure they were secure.
After giving Packetlabs Ltd. credentials, they logged into our applications. Then they got back to us with some initial findings that outlined high-level issues they thought we should as soon as possible. Then they finalized a report and presented their findings to our management team.
What is the team composition?
We worked with 4โ5 people, including a project manager and testers.ย
How did you come to work with Packetlabs Ltd.?
We reviewed a few security providers, but the quality of Packetlabs Ltd.โs proposal stood out for us. Their staff clearly had a high level of expertise.
How much have you invested with them?
We spent $50,000 CAD (approximately $40,000 USD).ย
What is the status of this engagement?
We started working with them in September and they wrapped up in November 2020.
RESULTS & FEEDBACK
What evidence can you share that demonstrates the impact of the engagement?ย
They identified deficiencies that weย already knew about, but they also found problems we were unaware of and that was very helpful. We were then able to remediate all of the issues they identified, which made our board and CEO very happy.
Due to the nature of our business, security is our top priority. We absolutely cannot have an individualโs private information hacked, and Packetlabs Ltd. made sure that will not happen. ย
How did Packetlabs Ltd. perform from a project management standpoint?
Most of our communication was over email and through occasional phone calls. Our project was very open-ended so we didnโt have any deadlines. We were constantly in contact with them โ they kept us updated as we went through our list.
Depending on what they were working on, we had to set up environments for them because we couldnโt pause our business processes. Sometimes they came across different things that required them to dig deeper into the problem, and that obviously would take longer.
What did you find most impressive about them?
They were professional and clearly understood security. When we had to remediate things and our developers had questions, they were able to provide a lot of detail and context to the issues that they flagged.
Are there any areas they could improve?
I was completely satisfied with their work. I have no complaints.
Do you have any advice for potential customers?
Obviously, security is really important for any business. So you should take the project seriously and regularly test your security posture.
RATINGS
5.0
Quality
5.0
Service & Deliverables
Schedule
5.0
On time / deadlines
Cost
4.5
Value / within estimates
Willing to Refer
5.0
NPS
API Penetration Testing for Software Company
Custom Software DevelopmentCybersecurity
Confidential
Jan. 2018 - Ongoing
4.5
Quality
4.5
Schedule
4.5
Cost
4.5
Willing to Refer
5.0
"We appreciate their focus on customers, and thatโs why we keep going back to them."
Mar 12, 2021
Dir. of Project Management & Compliance, Exchange Solutions
Angele Williams
Information technology
Boston, Massachusetts
51-200 Employees
Phone Interview
Verified
Packetlabs Ltd. conducts penetration tests on APIs to identify potential security issues. After performing validation tests, the team develops reports with remediation items and then runs additional tests.
Packetlabs Ltd. conducts comprehensive penetration tests that produce extensive findings to validate productsโ security. A valuable partner, the team provides dedicated customer service and adapts to meet unique requirements. Their attentiveness and competitive costs lead to a lasting partnership. ย
A Clutch analyst personally interviewed this
client over the phone. Below is an edited
transcript.
BACKGROUND
Introduce your business and what you do there.
Iโm the director of project management and compliance at Exchange Solutions. My responsibilities include ensuring that the company maintains its high compliance standards. Exchange Solutions is a cloud-based marketing technology company that delivers personalized loyalty solutions to retailers enabling them to build deeper and more profitable engagement with their consumers. With more than 20 years of experience in the industry, Exchange Solutions transforms loyalty programs and promotions from being costly applications to productive and profitable capabilities for clients across various verticals in the US and Canada. Current clients include Harry Rosen, Essoโข and Mobilโข, Sobeys Inc., Rexall Pharmacy Group, Loweโs, and Todayโs Shopping Choice
OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE
What challenge were you trying to address with Packetlabs Ltd.?
My position requires me to manage the relationships with 3rd party vendors in the implementation and maintenance of the compliance policies and procedures at the company. Packetlabs is our vendor of choice to perform our penetration tests.
SOLUTION
What was the scope of their involvement?
Packetlabs runs penetration tests on the APIs and supporting networks we provide to our clients. Their team runs validation tests on the security of those platforms, to ensure the robustness of the security of those platforms.
Each year, we create a schedule with Packetlabs and review all of the APIs that our company plans to be tested. We have a kick-off meeting for each project during which we address requirements, timelines, and resources. In the end, Packetlabs provides us with a report on our results. ย We remediate the findings and then they retested to ensure any findings have been resolved.
What is the team composition?
Our main partners on the projects that we collaborate on with Packetlabs are Richard (Managing Partner), Michael (Project Manager), and Denis (Manager, Security Consulting) or other engineers who run the penetration tests.
How did you come to work with Packetlabs Ltd.?
For all our vendors, we run an assessment to ensure they pass our validation. Packetlabs passed our vendor assessment validation and had the qualifications to support our penetration tests. What made Packletlabs stand out to us was that their operation was smaller, local, and customer-focused.
What is the status of this engagement?
Packetlabs has been a partner with Exchange Solutions since 2018. We continue to work with this vendor to support our compliance activities.
RESULTS & FEEDBACK
What evidence can you share that demonstrates the impact of the engagement?ย
As theyโre a boutique provider, weโre not lost in the crowd. Itโs more of a partnership. Theyโre able to cater to our needs and timelines. If we have any high-priority issues, their team is able to accommodate us. Their team personalizes the experience for us.
In the past, we have had other 3rd party vendors perform penetration tests on our APIs which did not result in the same level of results that we received from Packetlabsโ findings. Their level of testing is quite in-depth.
How did Packetlabs Ltd. perform from a project management standpoint?
We start each project with a call during which we set up a communication structure for the rest of the project. After kicking off the project, we typically communicate via email. If thereโs an issue, theyโll contact us immediately. They accommodate our requirements for the running of the projects. For example, their team accommodates to our reporting structure. Or if we have a big deployment, theyโll do their testing around our schedule.
What did you find most impressive about them?
Iโm most impressed by their flexibility. We work with a lot of different vendors โ big and small. My number one requirement for any vendor is to be a partner, so Iโm looking for exceptional customer service. We appreciate their focus on customers, and thatโs why I keep going back to them.
Are there any areas they could improve?
No, at the beginning they had to learn how we do business. Their team made every effort to overcome those hurdles to adapt to our way of doing things.
Do you have any advice for potential customers?
Understand what you need because they can accommodate it.
RATINGS
4.5
Quality
4.5
Service & Deliverables
Schedule
4.5
On time / deadlines
"Theyโre probably better than us."
Cost
4.5
Value / within estimates
"Theyโre quite competitive."
Willing to Refer
5.0
NPS
Network Penetration & Testing for Financial Services Company
Application Testing
Confidential
Jan. 2016 - Ongoing
4.5
Quality
5.0
Schedule
4.5
Cost
4.0
Willing to Refer
5.0
"They know how to correctly apply security standards to our environment. Their teamโs great at what they do."
Mar 9, 2021
Managed Services Manager, Financial Services Company
Anonymous
Financial services
Toronto, Ontario
11-50 Employees
Phone Interview
Verified
Using security scanning tools, Packetlabs Ltd. conducts internal and external scans of a financial services companyโs system. The team also performs penetration tests to identify any network vulnerabilities.
Following tests, Packetlabs Ltd. produces reports on time that facilitate successful system audits. In addition to meeting deadlines, the team effectively communicates with internal stakeholders. They provide valuable expertise, which enables a long-term partnership.
A Clutch analyst personally interviewed this
client over the phone. Below is an edited
transcript.
BACKGROUND
Introduce your business and what you do there.
Iโm the manager of managed services at our company. Iโm responsible for all third-party connections to our services and connections with our banking partners.
OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE
What challenge were you trying to address with Packetlabs Ltd.?
We engaged Packetlabs to conduct quarterly internal and external scans as well as external penetration tests.
SOLUTION
What was the scope of their involvement?
Packetlabsโ work is largely confidential. Essentially, Packetlabs uses security scanning tools to look for any vulnerabilities in our network.
What is the team composition?
Iโve worked with Richard (Managing Partner) and Ian (Tech Lead). My team has worked with 1โ2 others too.
How did you come to work with Packetlabs Ltd.?
Another security partner recommended Packetlabs to us for these services.
What is the status of this engagement?
Weโve used their services every year for at least five years. We plan to use them in the future too.
RESULTS & FEEDBACK
What evidence can you share that demonstrates the impact of the engagement?ย
Packetlabs has provided us with reports every quarter. Those reports were used in subsequent audits, which were successful.
How did Packetlabs Ltd. perform from a project management standpoint?
They have been great with communication and meeting deadlines.
What did you find most impressive about them?
Packetlabs is knowledgeable. They know how to correctly apply security standards to our environment. Their teamโs great at what they do.
Are there any areas they could improve?
If I found opportunities for improvement, I would talk with Packetlabs about them.
Do you have any advice for potential customers?
Review the reports that Packetlabs creates for you. Be upfront about your environment with them.
RATINGS
4.5
Quality
5.0
Service & Deliverables
Schedule
4.5
On time / deadlines
Cost
4.0
Value / within estimates
Willing to Refer
5.0
NPS
Application Security Testing for IT Company
Application TestingCybersecurity
$10,000 to $49,999
July - Sep. 2020
5.0
Quality
5.0
Schedule
5.0
Cost
5.0
Willing to Refer
5.0
"They conducted themselves very well and laid everything out transparently right from the beginning."
Dec 11, 2020
VP Engineering & Founder, Fluency, Inc.
Scott Gale
Information technology
Burlington, Vermont
11-50 Employees
Phone Interview
Verified
After conducting interviews with the internal staff, Packetlabs Ltd. carried out testing processes using proprietary tools. They then provided recommendations on how the business could improve its security.
Packetlabs Ltd. delivered exactly as requested, meeting the objectives of the project. Not only was the team able to complete the analysis quickly, but they were also open and honest throughout the entire process. They were an organized partner with unique internal procedures.
A Clutch analyst personally interviewed this
client over the phone. Below is an edited
transcript.
BACKGROUND
Introduce your business and what you do there.
Iโm the VP of engineering and the founder of Fluency. Itโs an enterprise advertising platform for large digital agencies.
OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE
What challenge were you trying to address with Packetlabs Ltd.?
We hired them to review and recommend any hardening for possible penetration points for our web app and the tech stack that supports it.
SOLUTION
What was the scope of their involvement?
Packetlabs Ltd. did a series of interviews with us to determine how things are set up, where the different technology pieces play into what they're going to do, and where they are. The team also met with a few members of the staff to get a good technology scope and understand the existing security policy.ย
After that, they started the testing process, went through various different sets of proprietary tests that theyโd built out, and then came back with recommendations. They sent those recommendations over in the form of finalized documents that gave us the details we needed to patch anyย holes.ย
What is the team composition?
We worked with their CEO, a project manager, and other teammates who were in charge of executing the tests.
How did you come to work with Packetlabs Ltd.?
Our tech stack is on AWS, so I was looking for a company that would be able to execute tests there. I had looked at some of the companies that AWS had recommended, including a couple of really large penetration test firms. We're also a small company, so we were cognizant of cost.
Packetlabs Ltd. was really prompt to respond to my requests and was really clear with the charges upfront so we could understand what the impact to our bottom line was going to be. They also demonstrated that they would be able to do a test that would work for us, instead of just doing a generic test.
How much have you invested with them?
We spent $25,000 CAD (approximately $19,500 USD).
What is the status of this engagement?
We worked with them from JulyโSeptember 2020. We will probably work with them again in the future for other testing projects.
RESULTS & FEEDBACK
What evidence can you share that demonstrates the impact of the engagement?ย
Packetlabs Ltd. executed the project well, and we got what we wanted. We wanted to see a report with the penetration test results and what we needed toย fix based on their recommendations. We also had a goal of having a summary report that we could send if somebody did request security audits from us.
How did Packetlabs Ltd. perform from a project management standpoint?
They were fantastic. When they were going to test, they gave us a heads up, and they were able to get us on their schedule quickly. They were very transparent with pricing. Packetlabs Ltd. was a small company, which was great because they understood how to cater to our needs. The team was very flexible.
What did you find most impressive about them?
They conducted themselves very well and laid everything out transparently right from the beginning. From a technology perspective, they had some proprietary techniques that I hadnโt seen before, which helped.
Are there any areas they could improve?
No, not that I can think of.ย
Do you have any advice for potential customers?
The more information you can give them upfront for the test, the more you'll get back from them in the report so that you can achieve your goals of having better security. Spend the time upfront to make sure that you give them a good technology landscape.
RATINGS
5.0
Quality
5.0
Service & Deliverables
Schedule
5.0
On time / deadlines
Cost
5.0
Value / within estimates
Willing to Refer
5.0
NPS
Penetration Testing for National Wholesale Distributor
Cybersecurity
$10,000 to $49,999
Sep. - Oct. 2020
5.0
Quality
5.0
Schedule
5.0
Cost
5.0
Willing to Refer
5.0
"We did not feel rushed and were guided through the process."
Oct 19, 2020
Manager, IT Network & Infrastructure, Wholesale Firm
Hammad Shoaib
Retail
Concord, Ontario
501-1,000 Employees
Online Review
Verified
Packetlabs Ltd. provided penetration testing to enable the company to solve any vulnerabilities they have on their platform. The team also helped the client to identify their remediation measures.
Thanks to Packetlabs Ltd.'s excellent cybersecurity efforts, the company was able to resolve its vulnerabilities and establish itsย secure VPN tunnel. Their responsiveness and diligence were hallmarks of their work.
The client submitted this review online.
BACKGROUND
Please describe your company and your position there.
We are a Logistics/Transportation firm. We take material from drug manufacturers and transport them to pharmacies all throughout Canada. We also perform fulfilment orders for Costco and Walmart. I am the Manager of IT, Network and Infrastructure overlooking Network, Servers, Voice and Security.
OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE
For what projects/services did your company hire Packetlabs Ltd.?
We were called out for a bug on our public facing website. They had claimed to perform a public disclosure if we do not patch in time. This is where we hired PacketLabs to help.
What were your goals for this project?
Our goals were to remediate any vulnerabilities identified in their scans. One of the things we were on the lookout for is the remediation process itself, since most of us are not cybersecurity certified. This would nullify the finding by the ethical hacker and prevent our business from facing any negative outcomes.
SOLUTION
How did you select Packetlabs Ltd.?
PacketLabs performed a demo at the company I last worked for. I was very impressed with their quality of detail and how easy they make it for their clients.
Describe the project in detail.
Project was to scan for vulnerabilities on our externally facing website. It was to provide remediation measures and a full report on how to fix those holes. Our team helped with ensuring PacketLabs had everything they need to perform these tests. We built a secure VPN tunnel for them as well.
What was the team composition?
From the vendor's side, it was a team of 3 - 5 people ranging from senior consultants to their founders. I was impressed that their founders would participate and take interest in this seemingly small project.
RESULTS & FEEDBACK
Can you share any outcomes from the project that demonstrate progress or success?
We were able to identify what the vulnerabilities were and reached out to our website hosting provider. They had initially declined to mark this as a vulnerability, possibly as a face-saving measure, however, we convinced them to take all steps possible to resolve.
How effective was the workflow between your team and theirs?
Workflow was as effective as can be. Most communication was done via email with several conversations over the phone.
What did you find most impressive about this company?
As mentioned in my notes earlier, I was impressed with their attention to detail and patience. We did not feel rushed and were guided through the process.
RATINGS
5.0
Quality
5.0
Service & Deliverables
Schedule
5.0
On time / deadlines
Cost
5.0
Value / within estimates
Willing to Refer
5.0
NPS
Web App Testing for Early Childhood Education Association
Mobile App DevelopmentWeb Development
Confidential
Sep. 2019 - June 2020
5.0
Quality
5.0
Schedule
5.0
Cost
5.0
Willing to Refer
5.0
"We found their communication style to be their most impressive quality."
Jun 25, 2020
Project Manager, ECEBC
Anonymous
Education
Vancouver, British Columbia
11-50 Employees
Phone Interview
Verified
Packetlabs Ltd. conducted penetration tests on a newly developed custom web app to identify any potential security weaknesses. Following testing, they created and presented a report.
After performing extensive tests, Packetlabs Ltd. produced a thorough report that explained any potential security flaws. Accommodating schedule changes, the team supported effective collaboration. By making complex technical concepts accessible, they ensured a successful partnership.
A Clutch analyst personally interviewed this
client over the phone. Below is an edited
transcript.
BACKGROUND
Introduce your business and what you do there.
Iโm a project manager at The Early Childhood Educators of British Columbia. Weโre a professional network of early childhood educators.
OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE
What challenge were you trying to address with Packetlabs Ltd.?
We hired Packetlabs to perform penetration tests on ourย custom web app. We wanted aย third-party agency to check the system's security as itย had the potential of identifying personal information. We wanted to make sure the system was solid.
SOLUTION
What was the scope of their involvement?
Packetlabs tested all parts of our system to assess whether or notย hackers would be able to break-in. They also tested the platform to see if people would be able to accidentally access personal information. They created a reportย that listed all of the issues. Their team prioritized the risks as well as included descriptions and screenshots.
They met with us two times to review the report. Their team made sure that we understood its contents andย gave us a chance to ask any clarifying questions.ย
What is the team composition?
We worked with a project manager who was our main point of communication. When they presented the report, they brought in one other person to explain the technical details.
How did you come to work with Packetlabs Ltd.?
We asked our IT companyย to find a reputable company for us. They found Packetlabs.
What is the status of this engagement?
We contacted them in September 2019 but their start was delayed on our end.ย The contract was open until their team could do the tests. It took them about two weeks to performย the tests, which are now complete.
RESULTS & FEEDBACK
What evidence can you share that demonstrates the impact of the engagement?ย
The report hadย a significant amount of detailed information. The level of detail was greatย for someone who would fix any potential issues.ย
At the same time, they broke down the report for folks who arenโt developers. Their team helped us to fully understand the business risk of any issue that may be found. They helped us to understand and quantify any risks in real life.
They answered all of our questions during the presentations.ย When there were pieces that were more difficult for us to understand, they found differentย ways to explain it. They understood that the information was complicated and didnโt make us feel like we didnโt have the capacity to understand.
How did Packetlabs Ltd. perform from a project management standpoint?
Their team was flexible with our timeline and clear about the tests' schedules. At our request, theyย shifted the timeline multiple times but never made us feel like we were causing them any problems.
Their team gave us a timeline upfront and stuck to it. They updated us throughout the project. Their team let us know when they would be trying to hack into the system and when the tests ended. They communicated clearly, so we didnโt raise any accidental red flags.
What did you find most impressive about them?
We found their communication style to be their most impressive quality. They broke down complicated information for us to understand.
Are there any areas they could improve?
No, we were happy with them.
Do you have any advice for potential customers?
There isnโt any advice that needs to be given. Packetlabs led us through a process that they understood better than we did.
RATINGS
5.0
Quality
5.0
Service & Deliverables
Schedule
5.0
On time / deadlines
Cost
5.0
Value / within estimates
Willing to Refer
5.0
NPS
Security Assessment for Trucking Services Company
Cybersecurity
$50,000 to $199,999
Mar. - May 2020
5.0
Quality
5.0
Schedule
5.0
Cost
5.0
Willing to Refer
5.0
"They are aggressive about their timelines and are committed to staying within them."
May 26, 2020
IT Director, Transportation & Warehouse Service Provider
Anonymous
Transportation
Canada
1,001-5,000 Employees
Phone Interview
Verified
Packetlabs Ltd. used Microsoft software to conduct internal assessments and external penetration testing, presenting issues and offering recommendations of potential solutions.
Packetlabs Ltd. performed exceptionally well, completing the work ahead of schedule most of the time. The team worked quickly to identify any issues, write up reports, and offer recommendations. Their friendliness set them apart and made them more of a partner than merely a service provider.
A Clutch analyst personally interviewed this
client over the phone. Below is an edited
transcript.
BACKGROUND
Introduce your business and what you do there.
Iโm the senior director for a trucking services company.
OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE
What challenge were you trying to address with Packetlabs Ltd.?
We needed some security assessment and analysis done.
SOLUTION
What was the scope of their involvement?
Packetlabs Ltd. used Microsoft software to do internal assessment and external penetration testing. They reported any issues and recommended solutions.
What is the team composition?
We worked with 2โ3 teammates.ย
How did you come to work with Packetlabs Ltd.?
We had worked with them in the past and had been satisfied with their work.
How much have you invested with them?
We spent roughlyย $150,000 CADย (approximately $109,000 USD) for one of the most recent projects.
What is the status of this engagement?
We worked on this project from MarchโMay 2020. Weโve been working with them annually since 2016.
RESULTS & FEEDBACK
What evidence can you share that demonstrates the impact of the engagement?ย
Packetlabs Ltd.โs performance was excellent. They were very fast in delivering reports and recommendations. They did well in identifying issues that needed to be addressed.
How did Packetlabs Ltd. perform from a project management standpoint?
They usually finished ahead of schedule. We communicated via email and phone.
What did you find most impressive about them?
They are aggressive about their timelines and are committed to staying within them. Theyโre friendly โ more like a partner than a vendor.
Are there any areas they could improve?
No, not at this point in time.
Do you have any advice for potential customers?
They are good partners to work with.
RATINGS
5.0
Quality
5.0
Service & Deliverables
Schedule
5.0
On time / deadlines
Cost
5.0
Value / within estimates
Willing to Refer
5.0
NPS
Penetration Testing for Brick Manufacturer
Cybersecurity
$10,000 to $49,999
Nov. 2019 - Ongoing
5.0
Quality
5.0
Schedule
5.0
Cost
5.0
Willing to Refer
5.0
"We received a document that exceeded our expectations."
Apr 28, 2020
Manager, Information Systems, Brampton Brick Limited
Colette Kay
Manufacturing
Toronto, Ontario
201-500 Employees
Online Review
Verified
Packetlabs Ltd. was hired to improve the cybersecurity of a brick manufacturer's website. They came onsite to determine the project scope before facilitating an internal scan and delivering a detailed report.
Packetlabs Ltd. delivered a wonderful analysis of the client's current security conditions. Their pen-testing yielded great insights and actionable recommendations. The document was composed in a digestible, non-technical fashion, accomodating the client's comfort. Their workflow was also excellent.
The client submitted this review online.
BACKGROUND
Please describe your company and your position there.
I am the IT Manager at a Building Materials Manufacturer with a head office in the GTA, Ontario, Canada. We currently have 8 sites located in Ontario, Quebec and the US.
OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE
For what projects/services did your company hire Packetlabs Ltd.?
We had targeted 2019 as a year to increase the strength of our network security. We have a small internal team and needed the expertise of a third party to test our networks and recommend hardening solutions. We have had external Pen tests in the past but realized there was also a need for an internal review. We engaged Packetlabs for these tests.
What were your goals for this project?
Highlight areas where security improvements needed to made and provide us with easy to understand and executable recommendations.
SOLUTION
How did you select this vendor?
We interviewed three different vendors for this project, Packetlabs was a referral. They came in with one of the best prices combined with the most comprehensive solution. They impressed us with their passion for cyber security and the breadth of their knowledge.
Describe the project in detail.
Once we selected Packetlabs we had further meetings to detail the SOW. We are a fan of local vendors as we appreciate the opportunity to meet in person. Packetlabs brought their team onsite to nail down the final details of the project, this combined with a couple of fact finding phone calls and emails allowed us to start the project very quickly after the SOW was signed.
They dropped off a device to us for the internal scan. Their project lead always took great care to let us know what phase they were in testing-wise and warned us when the tests were going to happen. They kept us updated as they went along and took the time to call out significant issues prior to the preparation and release of the full report to us.
What was the team composition?
We had one of the managing partners engaging with us throughout the initial meets and the development of the SOW. We also had their project lead tester with us from beginning to end of the process.
RESULTS & FEEDBACK
Can you share any outcomes from the project that demonstrate progress or success?
The project deliverable was a document detailing the results of the pentest and areas for improvement. We received a document that exceeded our expectations.
The pentest result was a very detailed, comprehensive document containing very clear and actionable recommendations for our team. The organization of the document made it easy for our team (who are not cyber security professionals) to work through the document, which had a priority-based layout, and tackle each recommendation according to the urgency of the fix.
How effective was the workflow between your team and theirs?
The workflow was excellent due to the constant communication of Packetlabs throughout the project.
What did you find most impressive about this company?
The commitment to their craft and advanced cyber security knowledge of all Packetlab team members we encountered inspired a great amount of confidence in their process. This was backed up by the results we received.
Are there any areas for improvement?
I don't believe that the project could have had a better result than what Packetlabs achieved for us.
RATINGS
5.0
Quality
5.0
Service & Deliverables
"Top notch knowledge and professionalism."
Schedule
5.0
On time / deadlines
"Project came in on time as scheduled."
Cost
5.0
Value / within estimates
"Top level project value."
Willing to Refer
5.0
NPS
Cybersecurity Consulting for Lighting Solutions Company
Cybersecurity
$50,000 to $199,999
Sep. 2019 - Ongoing
5.0
Quality
5.0
Schedule
5.0
Cost
5.0
Willing to Refer
5.0
โTheir knowledge base is exceptional when it comes to cybersecurity.โ
Mar 9, 2020
Director of IT, Viscor
Mahmoud Dimassi
Manufacturing
Toronto, Ontario
201-500 Employees
Phone Interview
Verified
PacketLabs Ltd. handles the cybersecurity services for a lighting solutions company. Their team runs diagnostics on and provides consulting for the partner's firewall, network, and operating system.
PacketLabs gives the partner peace of mind and reassurance that their cybersecurity needs taken care of. Their team is full of experts who go above and beyond the scope of the engagement. They effectively resolve issues and answer questions in layman's terms.
A Clutch analyst personally interviewed this
client over the phone. Below is an edited
transcript.
BACKGROUND
Introduce your business and what you do there.
Iโm the director of IT at Viscor. We manufacture lighting fixtures for buildings, businesses, gyms, pools, hospitals โ you name it. Basically, we do a turnkey solution by bringing metal in and sending products out with lighting and different designs.
OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE
What challenge were you trying to address with Packetlabs Ltd.?
A couple of years ago, we had a situation where we noticed our network was getting hacked. It was fixed, but since then, I knew I needed an expert team to continuously validate if our network is fortified and hack-proof. Essentially, I needed someone to evaluate our system and tell me if our firewall wasnโt correctly prepped, an application wasnโt up to par, or a network contained a hole.
SOLUTION
What was the scope of their involvement?
PacketLabs provides cybersecurity services for us. After investigating our firewall, network, and operating system, they identify areas that can be improved. Then, they provide solutions on how to solve those security concerns. They run diagnostics on a whole slew of issues.
Their team conducts follow-up calls to make sure weโre resolving things correctly. Then they rescan our networks to double-check and ensure our work is correct.
What is the team composition?
There are about 5โ6 people we mainly communicate with. I know thereโs more, but Iโm not sure of the composition. I have weekly contact with our project manager.
How did you come to work with Packetlabs Ltd.?
It was through word-of-mouth. Weโve had colleagues from different organizations mention that PacketLabs is top-notch. We sent out an RFP to multiple vendors and narrowed it down to four. PacketLabs came up with the best solution in terms of pricing and expertise, so we chose them.
How much have you invested with them?
Weโve invested between $50,000โ$60,000.
What is the status of this engagement?
Our ongoing partnership began in September 2019. They periodically come in and conduct quick scans to ensure there are no issues or situations that might compromise our network.
RESULTS & FEEDBACK
What evidence can you share that demonstrates the impact of the engagement?
Right away, I noticed there wasnโt just one sole person who had cybersecurity expertise. Every single one of them, even the project manager, has expertise in cybersecurity. Thatโs one caveat that tells me their knowledge base is exceptional when it comes to cybersecurity.
From a security perspective, Iโm much more comfortable now than I was before. I donโt have all the in-house tools or expertise to identify things that might go wrong. However, I can sleep peacefully at night knowing that PacketLabs handles all of that.
Prior to 2019, we had a different vendor handling our cybersecurity and it wasnโt even close to what PacketLabs has done. Iโve never encountered a company that actually does everything they need to do and more.
How did Packetlabs Ltd. perform from a project management standpoint?
We communicate through phone calls, texting, and email. There have also been a couple of times when theyโve spoken to us after-hours. Our project manager always asks if thereโs anything else they can do or assist us with.
What did you find most impressive about them?
Iโm always at ease when Iโm talking to them. They make me feel comfortable. With them, thereโs no such thing as a stupid question. PacketLabs identifies the answer to what youโre asking and explains it in laymanโs terms.
When they report their diagnostics findings, they give me information based on my understanding and comprehension. Their team is very clear in and skilled at handling engagements with customers. They held our hands from the beginning to the end โ not many vendors would do that.
Are there any areas they could improve?
No, I wouldnโt have them do anything differently.
Do you have any advice for potential customers?
I promise youโre getting your moneyโs worth. I think very highly of them.
RATINGS
5.0
"Superb is the word that comes to mind."
Quality
5.0
Service & Deliverables
Schedule
5.0
On time / deadlines
Cost
5.0
Value / within estimates
"Thereโs no price on security and peace of mind."
Willing to Refer
5.0
NPS
"Iโd definitely recommend them to anyone.
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