Former Telus computer security expert launches cyber breach investigation provider

A recently-launched Toronto-based firm, Cytelligence Inc., says it offers to investigate cyber breaches, review clients’ business continuity plans and take into consideration the “pros and cons of cyber insurance” for its clients.

Cytelligence announced Wednesday it was launched by Daniel Tobok (pictured below left), former managing director of forensics and security consulting at telecommunications carrier Telus Corp. Also on the firm’s executive team is Gene McLean, former vice president and chief security officer of Telus. McLean, a member of the federal government’s Security Intelligence Review Committee, is now managing director of investigations for Cytelligence.

Cytelligence “will focus on providing forensics expertise and cyber security consulting to organizations and industries with the most sensitive data and network security requirements,” the firm said in a release.

Daniel Tobok, CEO of Cytelligence

On its website, Cytelligence indicates that it offers to “review and validate business continuity plans” and to take into consideration “the facts, pros and cons of cyber insurance” for clients.

In addition to cyber breach investigations, Cytelligence also offers digital forensic investigations and security services.

One such service is penetration testing, which Cytelligence describes as “is the act of validating the weaknesses in your organizations security structures including network gear, servers, services, operating systems and applications.” Penetration testing can help a firm validate its monitoring and detection systems, improve its understanding of layered security exploitation and to discover how vulnerabilities can be used to exploit its system, Cytelligence claims.

Its target markets include insurance providers, banks, oil and gas facilities, power generation and transmission; telecommunications, transportation, defence and water utilities.

Cytelligence says its readiness assessment reviews a client’s “current practices to establish a specific plan that addresses the requirements of board members, technology stake-holders, staff and your technical implementations.”

Cytelligence is based at First Canadian Place (whose main tenant is the Bank of Montreal’s head office) in Toronto’s financial district.

In addition to Tobok and McLean, the Cytelligence executive team includes: Bryan Zarnett, managing director of security consulting; Maurice Ragogna, managing director of forensics and founder of the High Tech Crime Investigative Association, Ontario Chapter; and George Hadrick, a retired U.S. Army Colonel who is Cytelligence’s managing director of incident response.