How external cybersecurity risk assessments work
Cybersecurity · Nov 7, 2025
The current threat landscape for Canadian SMBs
SMBs across Canada are increasingly becoming targets for cyberattacks, with many businesses unaware of the vulnerabilities in their public-facing digital infrastructure. Recent data reveals a concerning trend:
45% of small businesses in Canada experienced a cyberattack in the past year
, with 74% of security breaches involving human error
. Perhaps most significantly, four out of five Canadians are prepared to take their business elsewhere if a company fails to protect their data
. For SMBs, these statistics underscore a critical reality – cybersecurity is no longer just an IT concern, but a business continuity and customer retention issue. Given these escalating risks and their potential impact on business viability, understanding your business’ external vulnerabilities through a comprehensive assessment is the critical first step in building effective cyber defenses.
Cyber risk assessment: What it is and how TELUS Fully Managed can help identify vulnerabilities
An
external cyber risk assessment
is a security evaluation that examines your business’ public-facing digital footprint from an attacker's perspective. Unlike internal security audits that focus on your network's interior defenses, external cybersecurity assessments identify what cybercriminals can see and potentially exploit before they attempt an attack.If your internal security measures are comparable to locking doors and windows, an external assessment examines what a potential intruder can observe from outside your building – identifying weak points that may not be visible from an internal perspective.
TELUS Fully Managed, in partnership with Field Effect, is offering a complimentary* External Cyber Risk Assessment to help Canadian SMBs identify vulnerabilities in their public-facing infrastructure before attackers can exploit them.
This comprehensive assessment (valued at $400) includes**:
- External attack surface scan: Conducted by Field Effect, a third-party cybersecurity specialist, this scan identifies vulnerabilities in your public-facing infrastructure without disrupting business operations.
- Comprehensive vulnerability analysis: Receive a report categorizing vulnerabilities by risk severity, helping you prioritize which issues need immediate attention.
- Overall risk score: Get a quantifiable risk rating that provides a high-level view of your security posture for board presentations, insurance discussions or strategic planning.
- Review call: Discuss findings with cybersecurity specialists who can explain the implications and recommend next steps based on your business needs.
How the assessment process works
The external cyber risk assessment follows a straightforward process:
1. Initial submission: Complete a brief online form with your business information.
2. Initial consultation: A TELUS Fully Managed representative will reach out to confirm scope and schedule your assessment*.
3. Security scan: Field Effect scans your digital footprint for vulnerabilities, misconfigurations and security gaps.
4. Report delivery: Receive a report with findings specific to your business, including industry context and recommendations prioritized by risk level.
5. Expert review: Discuss findings with our cybersecurity specialists to understand business implications and explore remediation strategies.
Schedule your external cyber risk assessment
Cyber threats continue to evolve and understanding your external attack surface is an essential component of comprehensive cybersecurity. Whether you're looking to validate existing security measures, meet compliance requirements or simply gain visibility into potential exposures, the external cyber risk assessment helps clarify where your business stands.
Ready to understand your external cyber risk profile?
Contact TELUS Fully Managed today
to schedule your external cyber risk assessment*.*Exclusively available to business owners of companies with 30-100 employees who are not TELUS Fully Managed customers. No purchase necessary. Eligibility confirmed by our managed IT specialists. Offer valid until December 31, 2025
**Cybersecurity assessment valued at $400, based on our standard pricing for comparable services
Authored by:
TELUS Business
