# About SigOct

We map systems, build custom software and secure the networks that organizations across Canada and the US depend on. Ian Sharland founded SigOct and leads the work himself.

1. 2010 to 2018: Ian worked as an IT auditor and then IT audit manager at PwC and the Bidvest Group, with work spanning 80 companies in four countries.
2. 2018 to 2023: As CISO at Bidvest Data, he built the company's information security program from the ground up.
3. 2020 to now: He runs SigOct, doing architecture, software and security work for organizations across South Africa, Canada and the US from Alberta.

Ian has held the CISA certification from ISACA since 2013. He holds a BCom in Information Systems and Business Management, with Honours in Information Systems, from the University of the Witwatersrand.

## Why Sigma Octans

Sigma Octantis is the star that marks the south celestial pole. It is faint, so southern navigators found it by reasoning from the stars around it, and then took their bearings from it. Its constellation, Octans, is named after the octant, a measuring instrument used by navigators. The mark combines sigma and eight, which can be read as a sum, a deviation or a byte. The firm was founded by someone who spent most of his life under that southern sky.

## Where we are

We're based in Beaverlodge, Alberta, and we work with clients across Canada and the US remotely. We're happy to meet in Grande Prairie by arrangement.

## Where to start

If you'd like to talk about your systems, write to us at hello@sigoct.com.

## Who is Ian Sharland?

Ian is SigOct's founder, and he leads the work himself. He has worked in IT audit since 2010, has served as a CISO, and has held the CISA certification since 2013.

## What does SigOct mean?

The name comes from Sigma Octantis, the star that marks the south celestial pole.

## Where is SigOct?

We're in Beaverlodge, Alberta, and we work with clients across Canada and the US remotely.