IT for oilfield
and energy ops.
Oilfield services companies and energy operators in BC and Alberta run some of the most demanding IT environments in the country: SCADA systems controlling remote well sites, field crews that need reliable communications and rugged devices in the Peace Country and the foothills, compliance documentation requirements that touch everything from access logs to incident reports, and corporate offices that need the same security controls as any enterprise. North Star is based in Prince George, serves clients across northeastern BC and Alberta, and understands what IT for the energy sector actually needs to look like outside of a downtown Calgary data centre.
The IT problems this sector runs into.
These come up in almost every conversation we have with oilfield services operators. They're solvable.
SCADA and remote well site monitoring.
SCADA systems controlling remote well sites and pipelines were not built with cybersecurity in mind. They're often connected to corporate networks through links that were installed years ago with no segmentation. That's a risk that regulators and insurers are increasingly asking about.
Remote site internet and communications.
Well sites, compressor stations, and field camps in northeastern BC and Alberta often operate beyond the reach of conventional internet services. Operations need connectivity for SCADA data, safety communications, and field crew access to corporate systems.
Field devices that survive the work.
Tablets and laptops in the field take serious abuse. Standard consumer devices don't survive a winter on a drilling pad. Device procurement, MDM enrolment, and replacement workflows need to be built around hardware that can handle the environment.
Compliance documentation for oilfield service companies.
BC Oil and Gas Commission and Alberta Energy Regulator requirements include documentation of safety systems and incident records. Cyber insurance questionnaires for energy sector companies now routinely ask about OT/IT segmentation, access controls, and backup practices.
What North Star delivers for oilfield services.
Practical IT services built around how oilfield services operations actually work.
SCADA network segmentation and support.
We assess SCADA network architecture, identify unsegmented connections to corporate networks, and design and implement firewall and VLAN configurations that isolate operational systems while preserving the data flows your operations team needs. Documentation included.
Cybersecurity →Remote site internet and LTE networks.
Starlink Business for remote well sites and field camps. Private LTE and bonded LTE for areas with partial cellular coverage. We size the solution for your data volumes, configure failover, and manage the infrastructure on an ongoing basis.
Managed Network →Rugged device procurement and MDM.
Panasonic Toughbook, Samsung Tab Active, and comparable rugged devices sourced, enrolled in Microsoft Intune or another MDM platform, and deployed with the apps your field crews need. Hardware warranty management and replacement logistics built in.
Managed IT →Cybersecurity for energy sector environments.
Endpoint protection on all corporate devices, MFA on corporate systems, phishing training for office and field staff, and dark web monitoring. Cyber insurance questionnaire support so your renewal doesn't become an emergency.
Cybersecurity →IT compliance documentation.
Network diagrams, access control records, IT policy documents, and incident response plans formatted for regulatory and insurance requirements. We work with your compliance and operations teams to produce documentation that reflects how your environment actually works.
Compliance →Tools and platforms we use in this sector.
The technology stack we deploy and manage for oilfield services clients.
Starlink Business
Satellite internet for remote well sites, field camps, and compressor stations.
FortiGate
Enterprise firewall for SCADA isolation and perimeter security at field and corporate sites.
Microsoft Intune
MDM platform for corporate and field device management, policy enforcement, and remote wipe.
Microsoft 365
Corporate productivity, SharePoint document management, and Teams for field-to-office communications.
Veeam / Acronis
Backup and disaster recovery for operational data, compliance records, and corporate systems.
Common questions from oilfield services operators.
Can you provide internet connectivity at a remote well site or field camp?
Yes. Starlink Business is the primary solution for remote sites beyond LTE coverage, and we handle installation, network configuration, and ongoing management. For sites with partial LTE coverage, we configure bonded LTE solutions that aggregate multiple cellular connections for higher throughput and redundancy.
How do you approach SCADA security without disrupting operations?
We start with a discovery phase to map all existing connections between SCADA and corporate networks, then design segmentation changes with your operations team before any implementation. Changes go in during planned maintenance windows, with tested rollback procedures. We treat operational continuity as the primary constraint.
What devices do you recommend for field crews in northern BC and Alberta winters?
For demanding field environments, we typically recommend Panasonic Toughbook or Toughpad devices, Samsung Tab Active for lighter-duty tablet use, and cold-rated accessories for devices that will be used at temperature extremes. We source, configure, and enrol devices in MDM before they ship to site.
Can you help us with cyber insurance requirements for an oilfield services company?
Yes. Energy sector cyber insurance questionnaires have become more detailed, and underwriters now specifically ask about OT/IT segmentation, MFA deployment, backup testing, and incident response plans. We help you implement the controls they expect and produce the documentation to support your answers.
We already have an IT person. Can you fill in the gaps?
Yes, co-managed IT is a common engagement model for us. Your IT person handles day-to-day and vendor relationships; we provide after-hours coverage, project capacity, and specialised expertise in areas like OT security and remote site connectivity. The scope is defined clearly so there's no confusion about who owns what.
Ready to get your field and office IT sorted?
Book a 30-minute scoping call. We'll review your environment with your sector's compliance, connectivity, and uptime requirements in mind. No pressure.
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