A Calgary-based cybersecurity company is taking aim at one of the fastest-growing attack vectors threatening Canadian businesses: fraudsters impersonating customers to manipulate service desk workers into granting account access.
TechJutsu, founded in 2015 by CEO Tracey Nyholt, announced today the launch of its Caller Verify Universal Connector—a browser extension designed to inject multi-factor authentication directly into service desk workflows. The tool addresses a critical blind spot that criminals are actively exploiting.
Voice-phishing attacks, known as "vishing," have exploded in sophistication and frequency. According to CrowdStrike's 2025 Global Threat Report, these attacks surged more than 400 percent in 2024 alone—a sobering reminder that traditional knowledge-based security questions are no longer reliable defences.
From One Bank's Problem to a Universal Solution
The idea emerged from a real-world crisis. TechJutsu was working with one of Alberta's largest credit unions when the institution posed a troubling question: "What if bad actors call after harvesting a customer's mother's maiden name or high school mascot from social media? How do we verify identity over the phone?"
"Social media has made traditional security questions almost useless," Nyholt explained in the company statement. "Anyone determined enough can find that information online."
Rather than accept service desk vulnerability as inevitable, TechJutsu engineered a solution that sidesteps knowledge-based questions entirely. The Universal Connector works as a lightweight overlay within Google Chrome and Microsoft Edge, integrating seamlessly with major business platforms including ServiceNow, Salesforce, Microsoft Teams, Slack, Zendesk, Workday, and custom internal systems.
How It Works: Identity Verification in Seconds
When a caller contacts a service desk agent, the extension sends an MFA prompt directly to the customer's registered device. The caller approves the authentication request on their phone—no security questions required. The browser extension then updates in real-time with verified identity status, allowing the agent to proceed safely with the customer's request.
Each verification creates a logged audit event, helping organizations meet compliance and regulatory requirements automatically.
"This isn't just faster—it's fundamentally more secure," TechJutsu said. "AI-based service agents can now verify identity with the same assurance as human representatives."
The extension is available on the Chrome Web Store and requires a TechJutsu Caller Verify subscription. The launch positions Calgary's cybersecurity sector as a leader in tackling one of 2025's most pressing security challenges.
This story was based on reporting by BetaKit, which covers technology and business innovation across Canada. Visit BetaKit for more Canadian tech news.