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This article was published 28/6/2016 (1545 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Rumours were swirling on Monday the cybersecurity firm, formerly called Seccuris, had shut down its Winnipeg operation.

Neighbours said there were boxes in the parking lot and more than two people said many of the staff had been let go,.

The Winnipeg company, founded by former Winnipeg Chamber of Commerce chairman Michael Legary, was acquired by Montreal-based Above Security, in February 2015.

Hitachi Systems Ltd., the Japanese electronics multinational corporation, subsequently acquired Above Security in August of last year and the company is now known as Above Security — A Hitachi Group Company.

When Above Security and Seccuris joined forces, they were arguably the largest cybersecurity firm in the country capable of providing 24/7 monitoring services.

Seccuris had other offices across the country and into the U.S. when it concluded the Above Security deal.

Sources say as of a few months ago, the company had about 35-40 employees in Winnipeg.

"(It’s) completely shut down. Hitachi shut it down... Just very sad for a lot of very capable people who no longer have work. (Sixteen) years in business," one laid-off worker said in an email exchange.

Officials from Above Security in Montreal did not respond to requests for information.

Company staff members in Winnipeg said they could not comment on what was going on.

Seccuris had made a name for itself by establishing cybersecurity protocols for provincial governments across the country. It operated a secure control room in Winnipeg that could effectively monitor all Internet traffic in Western Canada.

Last month, Above Security hosted a data security conference in Miami with the theme "Reaching Greater Heights Together".

The conference pitch stated, "Since acquiring fellow Canadian security provider Seccuris in early 2015 and having joined the ranks of Hitachi Systems, Ltd. in October 2015, Above Security re-emphasizes its commitment to continuous learning and education with two full days of presentations and workshop sessions from today’s most experienced and respected industry leaders."

martin.cash@freepress.mb.ca