Cybersecurity Services

A layered approach means protection is built at multiple points across the environment rather than relying on a single tool. A firewall blocks threats at the perimeter, endpoint security protects individual devices, and cloud scanning covers email and file sharing. No single layer catches everything, which is why each one exists to cover the gaps the others might miss.

A firewall controls what traffic enters and leaves the network while endpoint security protects individual devices from threats that arrive through user activity or are already inside the network. Both serve different jobs and a business needs both, because a threat that slips past the firewall still needs to be stopped before it damages a device or spreads.

FortiGate and Sophos are recognized leaders in business cybersecurity. FortiGate handles enterprise-grade firewall protection with threat filtering and intrusion prevention built in, while Sophos delivers AI-driven endpoint security that detects and isolates suspicious behavior before it causes damage. Together they cover the two most critical layers of a business security environment.

Phishing is when an attacker sends a convincing email to trick someone into clicking a malicious link, handing over credentials, or downloading malware. Westcom defends against it through continuous cloud scanning that filters phishing attempts before they reach inboxes and FortiGate web controls that block malicious destinations if a link does get clicked.

Westcom applies continuous scanning across Exchange Online and Microsoft 365 to block phishing, spam, and malware in real time, alongside access controls that limit what an attacker can reach if credentials are compromised. The protection is built into the environment from the start because Microsoft 365 is one of the most frequently targeted platforms a business uses.

Endpoint security protects the devices connected to a network against threats that arrive through user activity or software vulnerabilities. Traditional antivirus only recognizes known threats, meaning anything new can pass through undetected. Sophos uses AI-driven behavioral monitoring to catch suspicious activity even when it does not match a known threat signature, which is how most attacks arrive in 2025.

Isolate affected devices from the network immediately to stop anything spreading further. Avoid attempting to investigate or clean the problem before contacting your IT provider, as doing so can destroy evidence and make recovery harder. Getting the right people involved quickly is the most important step in the early stages of any suspected breach.

Ransomware encrypts a business's files and demands payment to restore access. Westcom protects against it through FortiGate firewall filtering, Sophos endpoint detection that catches ransomware behavior before encryption starts, and properly configured backups so the business can recover without paying if an attack does get through.

Westcom runs continuous monitoring across the network perimeter and endpoints so suspicious activity gets flagged rather than sitting unnoticed. When something is detected the tools respond automatically where possible, isolating threats before they spread while alerting the Westcom team to assess and resolve the situation.

Regulated industries typically require documented controls covering access management, encryption, audit logging, and incident response capability. The exact requirements vary by industry and framework, but Westcom builds cybersecurity environments with compliance in mind from the start so the controls are in place rather than retrofitted when an audit arrives.

Protection needs to keep pace with growth, and Westcom's layered approach is built to do that. Every new user and device gets covered as it is added to the environment, and monitoring adjusts as the network expands. The security posture stays matched to the actual size of the business rather than being left behind by it.

Phishing emails are the most frequent entry point, followed closely by unpatched software vulnerabilities that give attackers a known weakness to exploit. Weak or reused passwords without multi-factor authentication complete the most common causes, and most successful attacks rely on these gaps rather than sophisticated techniques.

The cost reflects the size of the environment, the number of users and devices, the industry, and what level of protection is required. Westcom builds protection around what the business actually needs rather than a standard package, and the assessment process makes those requirements clear before any commitment is made.

Westcom has been protecting businesses across Vancouver Island since 2018 using FortiGate and Sophos, two recognized leaders in business cybersecurity. The protection is layered, actively monitored, and supported by a local team that already knows each client's environment when something needs attention.