North Star vs Bulletproof
Bulletproof is a New Brunswick-founded managed IT and cybersecurity provider under the GLI Company umbrella, with published services spanning security, compliance and IT support. North Star has real dispatch locations in Prince George, BC and Grande Prairie, AB, with Canada-wide remote and scoped onsite delivery plus a broader service mix that includes custom software and digital services. Both serve SMB and mid-market buyers; geography, service depth and onsite requirements should be verified in a written scope.
Side-by-side overview
| Dimension | North Star | Bulletproof, a GLI Company |
|---|---|---|
| Best fit | SMB to mid-market in BC, AB, and Yukon | SMB to mid-market across Canada, Eastern Canada origins |
| Real dispatch locations | Prince George, BC; Grande Prairie, AB | Fredericton, NB head office; verify the current office list |
| Founded | Founded by Keegan Martin, headquartered in Prince George | 2001 |
| Engagement style | Founder-led, direct access to senior staff | National MSP model with 24/7 managed security focus |
| Onsite delivery to verify | Scope by location, urgency and availability from the two dispatch locations | Coverage varies by location; confirm local dispatch terms |
Who each firm serves best
When North Star fits
- Your business is in BC, Alberta, or Yukon and you want a local provider who can send staff on-site when needed
- You need managed IT and cybersecurity combined with custom software or web services from a single team
- You prefer direct communication with senior staff who understand your local business environment and industries
- You want a provider with roots in Western Canada who understands regional sectors like forestry, mining, oilfield, and resource industries
When Bulletproof, a GLI Company fits
- Your primary operations are in Atlantic Canada or Eastern Canada where Bulletproof has its strongest on-site presence
- You need a managed security provider with a dedicated 24/7 MXDR security operations centre as the centrepiece of your programme
- You are a business with compliance requirements that benefit from Bulletproof's established compliance programme track record
- You want a provider backed by the resources of a larger corporate group (GLI Company) for added stability and depth
What both firms do well
- Both publish managed IT and cybersecurity services; compare the systems, hours, escalation rules and response targets in the proposed agreement.
- Both can support Canadian organizations, but service geography, onsite delivery, subcontractors and data handling should be confirmed for the specific engagement.
- North Star publishes its two dispatch locations; Bulletproof publishes its own current service and office details. Treat provider ownership, contracting entity and compliance responsibilities as verification items.
Common questions when comparing providers
Does Bulletproof have an office in Western Canada?
Bulletproof's official pages list a Fredericton, NB head office and other office information; national service coverage should not be read as a Western Canadian office. North Star has real dispatch locations in Prince George, BC and Grande Prairie, AB. Ask both providers to document who performs onsite work, where they dispatch from, the response target and the travel cost.
How does Bulletproof's cybersecurity focus compare to North Star's?
Bulletproof's MXDR (managed extended detection and response) programme is a strong offering for organisations whose primary requirement is a dedicated security operations centre. North Star integrates cybersecurity into a broader managed IT programme, which suits most SMBs who want security without running a separate SOC relationship.
What does being a GLI Company mean for Bulletproof clients?
Bulletproof identifies GLI (Gaming Laboratories International) as its parent company. That is a corporate-ownership fact, not a substitute for evaluating the proposed service team, contracting entity, data handling and escalation model. Compare those items with North Star's direct senior access and two-dispatch-location delivery before deciding.
Can Bulletproof support my BC or Alberta office?
Bulletproof's public materials describe Canada-wide support. If your team needs regular onsite visits in BC, Alberta or Yukon, ask both providers to quote the dispatch model, travel assumptions, response targets, subcontractors and exclusions. North Star can scope that work from its Prince George and Grande Prairie dispatch locations; speed and cost depend on the written agreement.
Source and scope note: Provider services and office details can change. Verify current Bulletproof information in its managed IT and security overview and office/contact page. North Star will confirm current onsite scope, response targets, data handling and pricing in writing.
Want a Western Canada-based IT partner who can show up in person?
Book a 30-minute scoping call. We will walk through your environment, your geography, and your priorities to help you figure out the right fit, even if that fit is not us.
Get a Free Assessment All comparisonsCompare other firms