All of us are being more vigilant against cybersecurity hacks, and we should be.
Photo by Andrea Piacquadio from Pexels
Cybersnap and BriteStart recently launched SoloSecure, the first cybersecurity certification designed specifically for Canadian freelancers and solopreneurs. Following Cybersecurity Awareness Month, SoloSecure is continuing its commitment to online safety by offering a verifiable credential designed to help Canada’s 2.65 million self-employed workers defend against phishing, social engineering, and emerging AI-driven attacks.
Freelancers and Cybersecurity
Jamie Read
“As more businesses rely on flexible talent, cybercriminals are exploiting freelancers as an unprotected back door into organizations, so the threat is double-edged,” began BriteStart CEO Jamie Read.
“Freelancers or other kinds of solo businesses typically rely on one laptop, and they don’t have the robust security of major corporations. So, this puts their business at risk, but also their clients’ businesses. More and more often, we’re seeing that major hacks and data breaches are happening through third parties, and as the flexible workforce grows, we can expect there will be more incidents,” remarked Read.
“By getting trained and certified, freelancers are doing two things: they are protecting themselves, their business and their clients’ business, and they are also signalling to potential and existing clients that they take their security seriously, providing them with a unique differentiator in a crowded marketplace.”
The investment in freelancers is rising. Read further explained, “According to Upwork, 48% of CEOs plan to increase freelance hiring in the coming year, while 29% say freelancers are vital to operations and 78% believe top freelancers outperform degree-holding employees. However, according to Fortinet, about 43% of all cyberattacks are aimed at small businesses, making them a top target, often due to weaker defenses. And because of this, we’re seeing an increase in the number of larger businesses asking about cybersecurity standards before engagement.”
“Cybersecurity and the protection of sensitive data is a shared responsibility and both freelancers and the businesses that hire them have a stake in getting security right,” added Read. “When a freelancer is compromised, every client is at risk. Businesses must demand security-conscious partners, while freelancers must prove they’re safe to work with.”
Canadian Small Businesses Under Attack
Cybersnap co-founder Gregory Dharma LePard.
“Freelancers and entrepreneurs in Canada face some serious cybersecurity challenges and so it’s more important than ever to stay protected and informed,” stated Cybersnap co-founder Gregory Dharma LePard.
“A recent Business Development Bank of Canada (BDC) study found that 73% of small and medium businesses encountered a cybersecurity incident last year,” shared Dharma. “But less than half feel prepared for an attack. Cybercriminals know small businesses and freelancers often have weaker defenses, making them prime targets.”
“Data from Surfshark adds urgency,” Dharma went on to say. “In early 2025, nearly 900,000 Canadian accounts were breached, exposing millions of emails—one of North America’s highest rates. Phishing, ransomware, AI-driven attacks, and social engineering are on the rise.”
What industries have seen cyberattack upticks?
“Industries hit hardest include healthcare (where attacks disrupt patient care), finance (a common target for fraud), technology and supply chains (vulnerable to ripple-effect attacks), and professional services, including freelancers, who face attack rates 3.5 times higher than typical employees,” commented Dharma.
Added Dharma, “Freelancers must not only be aware of risks but actively defend against them. That’s why SoloSecure provides specialized training to close security gaps and build client trust.
SoloSecure Certification
“The course covers practical, real-world threats: how to spot phishing scams, defend against social engineering, handle AI-based threats, and secure home networks,” shared Dharma. “It’s designed specifically for freelancers, not a generic one-size-fits-all course.”
“SoloSecure is offered in both English and French, making it accessible to a broad Canadian audience. The training is expert-led and fits well into busy freelance schedules. After completing the course, participants earn a digital certification and badge that proves their skills and that they can show clients to build trust and stand out.”
Added Dharma, “SoloSecure is a much-needed resource for freelancers and independent pros wanting to seriously boost their cybersecurity skills. We’re definitely seeing growing interest from both freelancers and companies. As cyber threats evolve and freelancing grows, being cyber-savvy is essential for protecting everyone involved.”
Asking about its launch and availability, Dharma responded, “The initial launch was September 25, 2025, with monthly sessions …lined up for October and November. The program is designed to be flexible and can absolutely scale up if demand grows.”
Read added, “It’s worth mentioning too that, since the training is delivered through the BriteStart community, anyone taking the training will also get access to the community where they can find additional training, events and even have direct interactions with Greg [Dharma] if they have any questions or concerns about their own business. So while the training and certification is formal, the learning can continue through peers and the broader freelance network.”
Benefits Passed onto Clients
“Certification takes the uncertainty out of working with independents,” stated Read.
“With SoloSecure, clients know they’re engaging a freelancer whose identity, skills, compliance and ways of working have been verified. That means faster onboarding, cleaner procurement and less friction for legal, finance and IT from day one. We don’t just see it as a badge but as a shared standard that protects IP, sets expectations around data security, and ensures the basics like insurance, contracts and rates transparency are already in place.”
Shared Read, “As someone who’s championed freelancers for years, I also see how certification directly benefits businesses: it de-risks projects, shortens time-to-impact, and improves quality because you’re matching on validated capabilities, not guesswork. For leaders scaling flexible teams, requiring or requesting SoloSecure creates a dependable talent bench you can switch on quickly, without sacrificing governance. And for freelancers, it raises the bar and the signal, which means clients get the best of both worlds: the agility and creativity of an independent, with the assurance and accountability you expect from a top-tier partner.”
Dharma similarly stated, “Clients love working with freelancers who have a cybersecurity certification like SoloSecure because it shows those freelancers take security seriously, not just for themselves but for their clients too. That builds immediate trust, giving clients peace of mind that their sensitive data and projects are protected.”
“Certified freelancers know how to spot phishing and social engineering attacks, reducing accidental breaches,” added Dharma. “That’s a win for clients, helping them avoid costly downtime or reputational damage.”
Dharma equated cybersecurity training with professionalism and accountability, which he described as a, “… win-win: clients get security and confidence, freelancers gain credibility and more work opportunities.”
Main feature image courtesy Andrea Piacquadio from Pexels
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