Kelowna-based Northern Computer buys two Alberta IT firms

With cyber-attacks on the rise, it's Kelowna-based Northern Computer to the rescue.

Northern Computer is an information-technology solutions, cloud-computing, cybersecurity and IT-consulting expert.

It's helped 600 businesses, organizations, municipalities and school districts in the Okanagan with their tech over the past 40 years and is expanding into Alberta big-time with the acquisition of Syncsys and Compufix.

"We're delighted to bring our dedication, ingenuity and experience into Alberta with the help of the exceptional teams at Syncsys and Compufix," said Northern Computer general manager John Gibson.

"Their combined expertise in cloud computing, desktop support, cybersecurity and data management will strengthen Northern Computer's capabilities for the benefit of our more than 600 clients, whether in BC, the Yukon, or now, Alberta."

Cybersecurity is getting a lot of attention because cyber-attacks are a threat to all individuals, businesses, governments and organizations.

Of all cyber-attacks, 43% are aimed at small businesses, according to IBM's 2023 Data Breach Report.

A successful cyber-attack can cost a business $7 million in damages -- the cost of data breaches and the chaos that ensues, the cost of IT repairs and protection and the cost of loss of business reputation and brand.

Cloud computing is also ultra-important in today's tech landscape.

The cloud offers a safe space for data and operations, even if physical spaces are threatened by fire, flood, wind, winter storms or extreme heat.

For instance, when wildfires ravaged Kelowna this summer, local government offices were cut off.

Northern Computer offered both cloud and physical support by swiftly co-locating systems and data to allow for remote cloud access for employees, officials and the community.

It ensured minimal downtime and business continuity for those impacted by the fires.

"We're proud to be a Kelowna-based and operated IT company," sais Gibson.

"Our priority is supporting our customers and that is clearly demonstrated in our latest customer-satisfaction score of 98% in October."

Northern Computer is considered a Kelowna sleeper success story, quietly going about its business of supporting a wide range of companies with managed IT services for decades.

When other IT companies in the Interior are being acquired by Vancouver or American firms, Northern Computer keeps its name and roots and is acquiring other Western Canadian companies in order to expand.

Northern Computer is also unique in that its employees own the company.

The company also has partnerships with industry leaders such as Lenovo, Microsoft, IBM, Aruba and Palo Alto to offer the best hardware, software and solutions.