Securing the Future: Empowering SMBs to Thrive in an Evolving Digital Landscape

Looking back on 2024, it’s clear that Canadian businesses faced an unknown and unpredictable landscape. While AI has been on the radar for some time, this year we truly felt its impact. From the automation of business practices to the automation of cyberattacks, we’ve seen firsthand how technology is reshaping the way we work – and how we defend ourselves.

At Okta, we’ve spent the year helping businesses secure their data, protect their identities, and defend against an increasing number of sophisticated threats. We block over 3 billion attacks every month, and what’s more concerning is that this is nearly 200% more attacks than we saw just a year ago.

Because of this, we know that passwordless is the future of security – not just for large enterprises, but for small- to medium-sized businesses too. With no passwords for bad actors to intercept, it offers robust defense against cyber threats, especially those driven by AI. In fact, 75% of Canadian SMB leaders using identity management and biometrics report feeling more confident in their security. And in today’s climate, confidence is key.

But it’s not just about the systems we put in place to safeguard against these attacks, it’s about the people behind those systems. People are the collective human line of defense beyond any documented policy or standard. And that’s something no machine or algorithm can replicate.

For SMBs with smaller teams, this becomes even more critical. When every individual feels empowered and responsible for securing the company’s data, that’s when businesses can thrive.

As we head into 2025, it’s crucial that small- to medium-sized business owners take a proactive and holistic approach to cybersecurity. One that keeps their needs and threats in mind. For leaders, this means implementing robust security measures, but also equipping their teams with the clarity and confidence to protect their organizations.

The bottom line: security shouldn’t be an afterthought; it should be second nature. And that’s the mindset we’re bringing into the new year: a focus on people, culture, and identity protection in this evolving digital landscape. It’s no longer just about progress, it’s about momentum.

Dan Kagan

SVP & Country Manager at Okta Canada

As the SVP & Canadian Country Manager at Okta, Dan’s priority is to lead the growth in the country while expanding Okta’s reach in both the commercial and enterprise markets. Dan has a passion for investing in and building up Canada. Throughout his career he has worked with large companies to lead successful expansion in the Canadian market. With over two decades of experience, he has had the opportunity to realize his passion for bringing new technologies to market and for making a difference.

As a technologist, Dan’s a firm believer in the power of innovation. He understands its criticality in keeping Okta a step ahead, and as one of the best ways to delight customers. Dan delivers results by focusing on a positive change management approach. He strives to lead his teams with empathy. He understands that people come first, and the success of an organization is dependent on the wellbeing of its workforce.