Core Network Solutions

What Core Network Solutions does

Core Network Solutions Inc. is a privately held, founder-owned managed network and security services provider headquartered in St. Albert, Alberta, Canada. Founded in 2003 by Ireen Slater and currently led by President Reid Johnson, the firm designs, deploys, and operates enterprise-grade wired and wireless networks, network security systems, unified communications, and data storage infrastructure for mid-enterprise clients in Western Canada, with the Edmonton metropolitan area as its operational core. Its customer base spans verticals including Global Entertainment, Transportation, Logistics, Healthcare, Manufacturing, Legal, and Engineering.

The company's product offering is organized into five branded lines: CNSconnect (managed wired/Wi-Fi with zero-touch deployment and 24/7 monitoring), CNSsecure (managed security monitoring, firewall policy management, and authentication services staffed by Fortinet certified professionals), CNStech (managed IT covering desktop, server, storage, and security with fixed-cost pricing), CNSvault (managed backup and disaster recovery, including Office 365 cloud backup), and CNSpro (project-based professional services for wireless design, network audits, and security consulting). These managed services are layered on top of a partner ecosystem of best-of-breed vendor technologies: Fortinet, Juniper (HPE) and Aruba (HPE) for networking and security, Ruckus for switches and wireless, Check Point for consolidated security, KnowBe4 for security awareness training, and Sophos for endpoint and email protection. The firm maintains compliance reporting for PCI DSS, FFIEC/GLBA, SOX, HIPAA, PIPEDA, PIPA, and GDPR.

Revenue is generated through three streams: recurring subscription-based managed services under CNSconnect, CNSsecure, CNStech, and CNSvault; project-based professional services under CNSpro; and resale of network and security hardware/software from the vendor ecosystem. Pricing is quote-based with a fixed-cost IT solution model for managed services on annual billing cadences. Distribution is via direct sales targeting mid-market and select global enterprises in Western Canada, complemented by vendor co-marketing channels and a 24/7 Operations Center. The firm operates with a headcount in the 11-50 band and has not disclosed external funding, acquisitions, or leadership turnover beyond its two named principals.

Name

Core Network Solutions

Legal name

Core Network Solutions Inc.

Website

https://corenetwork.ca

Company type

Private

Founded year

2003

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Core Network Solutions is a privately held, founder-owned managed network and security services provider headquartered in St. Albert, Alberta, founded in 2003, that designs, deploys, and operates enterprise wired/wireless networks and security infrastructure for mid-market clients across Western Canada through a multi-vendor partner ecosystem.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Managed Network Services

NAICS

Computer Systems Design and Related Services (54151), Computer Systems Design and Related Services (5415)

SIC

Services-Computer Integrated Systems Design (7373), Wholesale-Computers & Peripheral Equipment & Software (5045)

akta.pro primary industry

Network Architecture & Design Services (BPAEAEAA)

akta.pro secondary industries

Network Resilience & High Availability Services (Redundancy, Failover) (BPAEAEAL), Network Performance Management & Observability Services (BPAEAEAH)

Keywords

• Managed network services
• Network infrastructure design
• Managed security services
• Enterprise wireless solutions
• Disaster recovery backup

Headquarters

HQ city

Saint Albert

HQ country

Canada

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure, Supply Chain

Revenue model

1. Managed Services: Recurring managed services revenue through CNSconnect (wired/wireless management), CNSsecure (security monitoring), CNStech (IT management), and CNSvault (backup/disaster recovery). These services operate on subscription basis with monthly or annual billing, providing predictable recurring revenue from ongoing client relationships.
2. Professional/Project Services: Project-driven professional services including wireless design and implementation, network design and implementation, network audits, and security consulting. Services are delivered on a project basis targeting specific outcomes such as wireless deployment, network infrastructure rollout, or security assessment.
3. Product Sales: Resale of network equipment and security products from vendor partners including Fortinet, Juniper, Aruba, Ruckus, Check Point, KnowBe4, and Sophos. Products include firewalls, switches, wireless access points, and security software solutions.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels2 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

Core Network Solutions designs, deploys, and manages enterprise-grade network infrastructure — including routing, switching, wireless LAN, network security, unified communications, and data storage — for mid-market and enterprise clients in Western Canada. The company delivers this through subscription-based managed services (CNSconnect, CNSsecure, CNStech, CNSvault), project-based professional services (CNSpro), and resale of partner vendor equipment from Fortinet, Juniper, Aruba, Ruckus, Check Point, KnowBe4, and Sophos.

Product overview

Core Network Solutions offers a portfolio of managed technology services and network solutions. Their managed services include CNSconnect (wired/wireless connectivity), CNSsecure (managed security monitoring), CNStech (IT management), CNSvault (backup/disaster recovery), and CNSpro (professional services). They also resell and deploy partner network security products including FortiGate NGFW, Check Point Infinity, Juniper Security, KnowBe4, and Sophos; networking equipment from Aruba, Juniper Enterprise, and Ruckus ICX switches; and wireless solutions from Aruba, Mist/Juniper, and Ruckus. The company operates as a solution provider combining vendor products with their professional and managed services.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• CNSconnect Managed Wired/Wi-Fi

Quantifiable outcome

• 43% of network attacks target SMEs
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers7 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration1 record

Feature4 records

Partnerships

Seven partnerships are on record, tiered core and secondary.

• FortinetcoreTechnology or IntegrationCore Network Solutions is a Fortinet partner offering FortiGate Next-Generation Firewalls and comprehensive security solutions. The partnership provides advanced threat protection, SSL inspection, and network security services. CNSsecure team includes Fortinet Certified professionals.
• Juniper Networks (HPE)coreTechnology or IntegrationPartnership with Juniper Networks for enterprise networking solutions including routing, switching, wireless (Mist), and security products. Solutions cover multicloud, data center, branch, campus, and security offerings.
• Aruba Networks (HPE)coreTechnology or IntegrationAruba partnership providing AI-powered wireless access points, switching solutions, and wired networking products. Core Network Solutions offers Aruba wireless and wired solutions with AI-intelligence and location services.
• Ruckus NetworkscoreTechnology or IntegrationRuckus partnership for wireless access points (indoor/outdoor) and ICX switches. Solutions include high-density Wi-Fi deployments, network simplification, and cost-effective unified wired and wireless access.
• Check Point Software TechnologiessecondaryTechnology or IntegrationCheck Point partnership offering Infinity consolidated security across networks, cloud and mobile. Products include next-generation firewalls, SandBlast advanced threat prevention, and cloud security solutions (CloudGuard SaaS, IaaS).
• KnowBe4secondaryTechnology or IntegrationKnowBe4 partnership for security awareness training and simulated phishing attacks. Platform recognized as Leader in Gartner Magic Quadrant for Security Awareness Computer-Based Training. Core offers training solutions to help organizations manage social engineering risks.
• SophossecondaryTechnology or IntegrationSophos partnership providing endpoint, web, email, and mobile security solutions. Products secure network endpoints from laptops to virtual desktops and servers, with solutions tailored to specific organizational needs.

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Long View Systems: Canadian-headquartered hybrid IT and managed services provider with a broad networking, security, and cloud practice serving mid-market and enterprise clients across Western Canada — directly comparable in service mix and customer profile.
• CompuVision: Western Canadian managed IT and network services provider offering design, deployment, and 24/7 managed services to mid-market clients — closest head-to-head competitor in the Edmonton/Alberta region.
• WBM Technologies: Western Canadian IT solutions provider delivering managed services, networking, and security with a strong regional footprint in Saskatchewan and Alberta — competes for the same mid-market accounts.
• Microserve: British Columbia-based managed IT and network services provider offering 24/7 helpdesk, managed security, and infrastructure services to mid-market organizations in Western Canada.
• Bulletproof Security (GLI): Canadian managed security and compliance services provider specializing in 24/7 SOC, vulnerability management, and regulated-industry compliance — directly overlaps Core's CNSsecure managed security offering.
• Scalar Decisions: Canadian IT infrastructure services firm providing security, networking, and managed services to mid-market and enterprise — comparable in multi-vendor integration and managed services delivery.

Broad incumbents

• Softchoice: Large Canadian IT solutions and managed services reseller with broader geographic reach and vendor partnerships — competes on hardware resale and increasingly on managed services.
• CDW Canada: Major North American IT reseller with a Canadian operation offering networking, security, and managed services — broader portfolio but overlapping vendor ecosystem and customer base.
• All Covered (Konica Minolta): National managed IT services division of Konica Minolta delivering network, security, and cloud services to mid-market — overlapping managed services portfolio at a larger scale.

Others

• Fortinet (MSSP program): Core security vendor whose partner/MSSP program enables competing providers to deliver Fortinet-powered managed services — represents the platform ecosystem in which Core competes as a value-added partner.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/TeamCoreNetwork
• Facebookfacebook.com/CORENETWORKSOLUTIONS
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/core-network-solutions-inc.

Compliance7 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles2 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds1 record

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Core Network Solutions