When you move your business onto the Internet, you need to take steps to protect your business from new threats and competition.
Protecting your business online
Protecting your intellectual property (IP)
Registering your IP in Canada only protects you in Canada. Offering products and services to customers around the world through e-commerce can leave your intellectual property vulnerable. Review your IP and develop a strategy that is aligned with your exporting plan and your digital strategy.
Intellectual property resources:
- Intellectual Property for Exporting Businesses (Canadian Intellectual Property Office)
- Protecting Your IP in Specific Countries (Canadian Intellectual Property Office)
Cybersecurity
Digital businesses can be vulnerable to cyber-attacks. Your business should have measures to protect your digital assets in five key areas:
- identification
- protection
- detection
- response
- recovery
You can also get cyber insurance to help protect your business from the costs of recovering from a cyber-attack.
Cybersecurity resources:
- Spotlight on Cybersecurity (Trade Commissioner Service)
- Get Cyber Safe - Protect Your Business (Public Safety Canada)
Privacy and personal information protection
Using a digital model involves more storage and transactions of personal information. Make sure you have practices in place that protect your customers, your employees and your business while also meeting all legal requirements.
Privacy and personal information protection resources:
- Privacy Guides for Businesses including e-marketing, collecting personal information and consent, transferring data across borders and more (Office of the Privacy Commissioner of Canada)
- General Data Protection Regulation Guidance for Canadian Businesses (Standards Council of Canada)