Svalbard Security

BACKGROUND

Please describe your company and position.

I am the Director of Technology of an accounting services company.

Describe what your company does in a single sentence.

A Vancouver-based company providing professional bookkeeping and accounting services tailored for Canadian businesses.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What specific goals or objectives did you hire Svalbard Security to accomplish?

• Infrastructure Audit
• Network Audit

SOLUTION

How did you find Svalbard Security?

• Online Search
• Referral

Why did you select Svalbard Security over others?

• Close to my geographic location
• Pricing fit our budget
• Great culture fit
• Good value for cost
• Referred to me
• Company values aligned

How many teammates from Svalbard Security were assigned to this project?

2-5 Employees

Describe the scope of work in detail. Please include a summary of key deliverables.

Our objective was to assess the security posture of our studio’s IT infrastructure, identify vulnerabilities, and recommend actionable improvements to protect sensitive financial data and ensure compliance with industry standards.

Key Activities, we requested were

• Network Assessment 
  • Comprehensive review of network architecture, including firewalls, routers, switches, and wireless access points
  • Identification of open ports, unauthorized devices, and insecure configurations
  • Evaluation of network segmentation and access controls
• System Audit: 
  • Examination of servers, workstations, and endpoints for security patches, software vulnerabilities, and misconfigurations
  • Review of user access management, including privileged accounts and password policies
  • Assessment of antivirus, endpoint protection, and backup systems
• Penetration Testing: 
  • Controlled testing to simulate real-world attacks and identify exploitable weaknesses
• Reporting and Recommendations: 
  • Detailed report outlining findings, prioritized risks, and remediation steps
  • Executive summary highlighting critical vulnerabilities and overall security posture
  • Recommendations for immediate and long-term improvements

Deliverables, we requested were:

1. Comprehensive Network and System Audit Report
2. Executive Summary with Key Findings
3. Risk Prioritization Matrix
4. Detailed Remediation Recommendations
5. Follow-up Consultation Session

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

What were the measurable outcomes from the project that demonstrate progress or success?

1. Reduced Vulnerabilities: Fewer critical risks and patched systems improved.
2. Network Security: Closed unauthorized devices and secured open ports.
3. Access Controls: Fewer unused privileged accounts and MFA implemented.
4. Incident Response: Updated plan and faster threat detection.
5. User Awareness: Staff trained on security best practices.
6. Security Score: Improved overall security rating after audit.

Describe their project management. Did they deliver items on time? How did they respond to your needs?

Svalbard Security demonstrated strong project management throughout the engagement. They consistently delivered all audit phases and reports on schedule, respecting agreed deadlines. Communication was clear and proactive — they promptly responded to our questions and adapted their approach based on our specific needs. Their team was collaborative and transparent, ensuring we felt supported every step of the way!

What was your primary form of communication with Svalbard Security?

• In-Person Meeting
• Virtual Meeting

What did you find most impressive or unique about this company?

What impressed me the most about Svalbard Security was how genuinely they cared about our business. They took the time to really understand the unique challenges we face as an accounting studio and didn’t just give generic advice. Their explanations were clear and easy to follow, which made me feel confident about the changes we needed to make. On top of that, they were always quick to respond and really made the whole process feel like a true partnership.

Are there any areas for improvement or something Svalbard Security could have done differently?

Overall, the experience was great, but one area for improvement could be more frequent progress updates during the audit. While their communication was clear when we reached out, having regular check-ins might have helped us feel even more involved throughout the process. Otherwise, their professionalism and responsiveness were excellent.