New Technology For Cybersecurity is Here

While ensuring adherence to Canadian and international industry standards and regional regulations, Complade boasts a comprehensive suite of tools that help organizations proactively identify and manage potential cyber risks, implement secure configurations, streamline audit management and compliance reporting and develop cybersecurity policies, reducing the likelihood of data breaches and cyberattacks. It also offers trust portals that showcase continuous audit metrics and manage customer security inquiries, fostering transparency and trust between organizations and their clients.

Complade was founded in 2021 by Yehia Ahmed, who has worked in the tech industry for over 15 years. In 2008 he founded the award-winning Cloudypedia, a cloud services and brokerage firm that helps organizations use cloud computing (a new computing delivery concept at the time) to do more for less. During the growth of Cloudypedia, Yehia and his team noticed a common theme: organizations of all sizes and sectors were grappling with effectively managing their cybersecurity initiatives. The rapidly evolving cyber threat landscape — which reached crisis levels during the pandemic —and intricate compliance demands made it challenging for businesses to maintain a strong and secure digital infrastructure.

Drawing on his experience with Cloudypedia coupled with research into cybersecurity management, Yehia set out to create Complade.

“Our goal was to create an all-in-one platform that treated cybersecurity as an ongoing practice rather than a one-time project.” Yehia says, “By focusing on an organization’s strategic goals and asset protection, the platform would simplify cybersecurity management and cater to unique requirements and compliance standards across diverse industries, including fintech and healthcare.“

To reach his goal of launching a cybersecurity platform, Yehia required a deeper understanding of the cybersecurity market and its challenges. While he had extensive experience in cloud services, he needed a thorough understanding of the cybersecurity market, which was necessary to develop a tailored offering. He also required access to networks and potential customers within the industry and a solid sales and marketing strategy.

Spark Centre provided Complade with access to market research data and industry insights to create a better understanding of the unique challenges and opportunities in the Canadian cybersecurity market. Yehia also participated in a Sales Masterclass through which he engaged in customer interviews and discovery calls to understand the market’s pain points further. That experience led Complade to pivot its strategy and develop an automated Cybersecure Framework explicitly tailored for Canadian companies with teams of less than 500. Spark Centre also invited Complade to participate in TechEx, an exhibition of Spark Centre’s clients where Yehia could connect with investors, businesses and industry leaders to generate business leads and gain real-time feedback on his offerings.

“My experience with Spark Centre has been nothing short of transformative, and I’m grateful for the support and resources they’ve provided.” Yehia says, “By leveraging Spark Centre’s expertise, resources and network, we’ve been able to address the challenges we faced as a startup, making significant strides in our journey.”

Since 2021 Complade has made considerable strides in the cybersecurity space. The startup launched its flagship product, “Complade Starter,” a cybersecurity practice management tool specifically for the healthcare and fintech sectors. It has also established a strategic partnership with the Cloud Security Alliance, a global organization that promotes best practices for providing security assurance within cloud computing. This collaboration has enabled Complade to remain at the forefront of cloud security trends and ensure its platform is equipped to address the latest cybersecurity challenges. In addition, Complade has incorporated support for the CyberSecure Canada certification program, making its framework accessible to organizations of all sizes and simplifying the implementation process for Canadian businesses looking to attain Level 1 and 2 certifications.

Moving forward, Complade plans to expand its reach to more critical infrastructure sectors in Canada, including IT, manufacturing, transportation, utilities and government agencies. It will also soon launch “Complade Live” out of beta, bringing AI-powered end-to-end continuous cybersecurity to organizations. This innovative approach ensures businesses maintain a secure digital environment without disrupting their daily operations. For example, Complade Live’s risk management feature leverages ai to give customers real-time risk scores and options to manage risk.

Complade proves an idea can morph into a thriving, widely-utilized innovative solution with the right guidance and resources. And many lessons can be learned along the way — lessons that Yehia Ahmed passes along to his fellow entrepreneurs today.

“My advice for aspiring startups and entrepreneurs is to focus on creating value for customers. Don’t get too caught up in the hype of new ideas or technologies. Go back to the basics and ask yourself what problem you are solving,” he says, “As a founder, your core responsibilities include building and refining your business model and designing a model that addresses your customers’ needs.”

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