IT Services for Manufacturing Companies in Canada
Canadian manufacturers face a unique cybersecurity challenge: the convergence of traditional office IT with operational technology (OT) systems controlling factory floors, assembly lines, and industrial processes. A ransomware attack that encrypts ERP data and halts production scheduling can cost thousands of dollars per hour in downtime. Attacks that reach SCADA systems or industrial control systems can cause physical damage to equipment. Outsource IT Canada helps manufacturers protect both IT and OT environments, support complex ERP systems, and secure supply chain connectivity — without requiring in-house IT expertise.
OT/ICS and SCADA Security
Operational technology (OT) security is fundamentally different from office IT security. OT systems often run legacy operating systems (Windows XP, Windows Server 2003) that cannot be patched. Downtime for patching can mean halting production. Our OT security approach:
- IT/OT network segmentation: separate VLANs with industrial firewall rules between office IT and factory OT networks
- DMZ architecture: a controlled buffer zone between IT and OT where only specific protocols are permitted
- Asset inventory: complete inventory of all OT devices (PLCs, HMIs, SCADA servers, historian servers) on your network
- OT monitoring: passive monitoring (no active scanning that could disrupt industrial systems) for anomalous traffic patterns
- Vendor remote access control: jump servers controlling how machine vendors access OT systems remotely
ERP Systems We Support
Your ERP system connects production planning, inventory, procurement, and finance. We manage the IT infrastructure supporting:
- SAP S/4HANA and SAP Business One — database server management, performance tuning, and user access controls
- Microsoft Dynamics 365 — Business Central and Finance & Operations infrastructure support
- NetSuite — connectivity, integration support, and SuiteScript troubleshooting
- Epicor Kinetic (formerly Epicor ERP) — server environment management and upgrade coordination
- SYSPRO — database management and multi-site configuration support
Manufacturing-Specific Backup Strategy
For manufacturers, backup strategy must account for both IT systems (ERP, office systems) and OT systems (SCADA historian data, PLC ladder logic configurations). Our manufacturing backup approach:
- ERP database backups with 1-hour RPO for production environments
- SCADA historian data backup to isolated storage (not crossing OT/IT boundary unless through approved data diode)
- PLC configuration backups stored offline (not on network-accessible storage)
- Recovery Time Objectives defined separately for IT (4-8 hours) and OT (coordinated with production team)
Supply Chain Cybersecurity
Your supply chain is a potential attack vector. Third-party suppliers with access to your systems — for EDI order processing, machine maintenance, or software support — can introduce risk. We implement:
- Vendor access portals with time-limited, monitored remote sessions
- Supplier cybersecurity questionnaires for Enterprise plan clients
- EDI (Electronic Data Interchange) security review for B2B document exchange
- Network monitoring alerts when vendor connections access systems outside normal patterns
Frequently Asked Questions
- What is OT/ICS security and why does manufacturing IT need it?
- Operational Technology (OT) includes SCADA systems, PLCs, and industrial controls on the factory floor. These are increasingly network-connected, creating cyber risk. We segment OT from IT networks using industrial firewalls and DMZ architecture so that ransomware attacking office systems cannot reach production equipment.
- Do you support SAP, Dynamics 365, and NetSuite?
- Yes. We manage the server and network infrastructure supporting SAP, Dynamics 365, NetSuite, Epicor, and SYSPRO. We handle database management, performance tuning, user access controls, and backup of ERP environments.
- What backup RTO can we achieve for our ERP system?
- For manufacturing ERP environments, we typically achieve 4-hour RTO for full recovery and 1-hour RPO (maximum data loss). For critical production scheduling systems, we can design high-availability configurations with sub-1-hour RTO.
- How do you handle third-party machine vendor remote access?
- We implement a secure remote access portal (jump server) for machine vendors. All vendor sessions are time-limited, recorded, and monitored. Vendors can only access the specific OT systems they support, not your broader IT environment.
Related resources
- Cybersecurity Services — OT/IT security and ransomware protection
- Managed IT Services — infrastructure management for manufacturing environments
- Cloud Solutions — hybrid cloud for ERP and file sharing
- How to Protect Against Ransomware in Canada
- Get a Free Manufacturing IT Assessment
Our services for your industry
- Managed IT Services — 24/7 monitoring, help desk, and patch management on a flat monthly fee
- Cybersecurity — EDR, dark web monitoring, phishing simulation, and incident response
- Microsoft 365 — deployment, migration, Copilot, and Canadian data residency
- Cloud Solutions — Azure migration, hybrid cloud, and PIPEDA-compliant Canadian data residency
- AI Applications — Microsoft Copilot deployment, AI workflow automation, and AI governance
- PIPEDA Compliance — privacy impact assessments, breach notification, and consent management
Ready to transform your IT? Call (416) 623-9677 for a free assessment.