In this exclusive interview with CanadianSME Small Business Magazine, Ryan Sydor, Area Vice President of Canadian Commercial Sales at Okta, discusses the evolving cybersecurity landscape for small and medium-sized businesses. With over two decades of experience in technology and enterprise sales, Ryan sheds light on the rising risks SMBs face due to outdated password management systems and the increasing importance of modern identity solutions. He emphasizes the shift towards passwordless authentication and multi-factor security measures as essential steps for businesses looking to safeguard their operations against the growing threat of cyberattacks. Ryan also offers practical insights on how Canadian SMBs can enhance security, improve productivity, and build a culture of digital resilience with the help of innovative identity management solutions.
Ryan Sydor is a sales leader with extensive experience in the technology and enterprise sectors. Currently serving as the Area Vice President of Canadian Commercial Sales at Okta, Ryan has been instrumental in leading and expanding Okta’s Canadian market presence since June 2022.
Previously, Ryan held several senior roles at Salesforce, including Vice President of Manufacturing, Automotive, and Energy, where he focused on industry specific solutions. Before Salesforce, he was a Senior Director of Sales at Clio, a legal practice management software company, where he helped scale and train the sales team and build out the Toronto sales office.
Ryan is a long-time member of Pavilion, an organization dedicated to helping senior executives expand their skill sets, and a graduate of its CRO School. He holds a B. Com in Marketing from the University of Guelph, an MBA from Schulich School of Business, and a certificate in Public Relations from Ryerson University.
Passwords remain the default security method for many businesses, yet breaches and credential theft are on the rise. Why do you believe traditional passwords are no longer sufficient, and what are the most common misconceptions organizations have about password security?
Canadian SMBs often juggle dozens of applications across marketing, HR, and customer service. This complexity creates opportunities for password fatigue, forgotten credentials, and risky habits, such as password reuse or sharing.
Traditional passwords are often the weakest link in cybersecurity, with 80% of web application breaches linked to compromised credentials. Despite this, many businesses still rely heavily on passwords, believing complex strings or password managers alone provide sufficient protection. This is a risky misconception.
Passwords don’t change often and can easily be stolen, phished, or reused across different accounts, which increases the risk of security breaches. At Okta, we have fully embraced passwordless and help Canadian SMBs adopt this approach. Passwordless authentication reduces attack surfaces by eliminating passwords, the most common target for hackers. It also decreases login failures and reduces IT support costs, enabling employees to focus on their work without frustrating password resets.
Okta has championed passwordless authentication and identity-first security. Can you walk us through how passwordless technology-such as multi-factor authentication-reduces risk and improves both security and user experience for Canadian small and medium-sized businesses?
In a landscape where AI-driven attacks are increasingly sophisticated, SMBs need security that keeps pace. Passwordless technology offers a scalable, efficient solution that enhances operational agility, strengthens defences, and boosts employee satisfaction. All critical for small and medium businesses striving to compete and grow.
The core issue with passwords is that they are inherently vulnerable. The solution is moving beyond passwords to more secure, phishing-resistant authentication methods. Passwordless technology strengthens security and improves user experience by removing the risks of password management.
Many SMBs rely on shared logins for platforms like social media and SaaS tools. What unique security and accountability challenges does password sharing create in the workplace, and how can organizations address these risks effectively?
Password sharing is a silent threat that’s often normalized in SMBs, especially when teams rely on shared logins for tools like Instagram and LinkedIn. While convenient, it creates serious issues: no audit trails, poor offboarding, and increased risk of human error or malicious access.
Without visibility into who’s accessing what, businesses can’t track accountability. A deleted post, a data leak, or even a locked account becomes a mystery. And when employees leave, lingering access puts sensitive data at risk, particularly if those credentials are reused across apps.
Okta’s research shows the average Canadian SMB uses over 70 different apps. Managing access without strong identity controls can become unmanageable. Shared credentials are also more likely to be stored insecurely or passed around through emails or chats, prime targets for cybercriminals.
To address these risks, SMBs should adopt an identity management tool. This enables individual logins, enforces multi-factor authentication, and allows for precise access control. It also provides clear visibility and simplifies onboarding and offboarding.
Beyond the obvious security threats, what are some hidden costs or operational inefficiencies that businesses face when they lack proper password management or identity solutions? How does Okta help organizations realize tangible benefits from modernizing their approach?
Poor password management doesn’t just open the door to cyber threats; it also drains productivity, weakens customer trust, and burdens IT teams. Without modern identity solutions, employees lose time juggling multiple logins, while IT staff are overwhelmed with constant password resets and access issues. These hidden inefficiencies undercut overall business performance.
The financial risks are equally real. In Canada, one in five SMBs spends over $200,000 recovering from attacks, often driven by identity-related breaches. And beyond dollars, there’s the psychological cost cyberattacks hurt morale and leadership confidence, undermining long-term resilience.
Okta helps organizations shift from reactive to proactive. By eliminating passwords and embracing modern identity tools like adaptive MFA and single, secure access points, SMBs reduce human error and boost employee confidence.
As a leader in the Canadian tech sector and an advocate for cybersecurity education, what final advice would you offer to SMB leaders looking to strengthen their digital defences and foster a culture of security within their organizations?
Start with the mindset that cybersecurity is a shared responsibility, not just an IT function. Building a strong security culture means empowering every employee to recognize threats and take ownership of digital safety.
Many SMBs still rely on basic tools or wait until after a breach to invest in security. But the cost of inaction is steep, financially and emotionally. Attacks can decrease morale and take a personal toll on leadership and teams alike. Yet only 47% of SMBs regularly train employees on best practices.
My advice: make identity security second nature. Adopt tools like passwordless access and biometrics that reduce friction while strengthening protection. Just as importantly, back those tools with ongoing training and transparent communication. Build an environment where employees understand their role in defence and feel equipped to act.
Security isn’t a one-time investment, it’s a long-term commitment. But with the right technology and a collective mindset, SMBs can build digital resilience and focus confidently on their future.
Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in this interview are those of the interviewee and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of CanadianSME Small Business Magazine. The magazine aims to provide insightful and practical information to support the growth and success of small and medium-sized businesses across Canada.
