SoloSecure launches freelancer cyberattack defence training

Cybersnap and BriteStart have jointly released a cybersecurity awareness certification aimed specifically at freelancers, solopreneurs and independent professionals.

The new certification, SoloSecure, is positioned to address what both organisations see as an urgent need for practical cybersecurity training amidst a significant rise in cyber threats targeting the freelance economy. Freelancers now comprise over 46 per cent of the global workforce, according to 2023 data from Statistics Canada. The prevalence of side hustles continues to expand, with 28 per cent of Canadians participating in gig work in 2024, up from 13 per cent just two years earlier.

This growing cohort has caught the attention of cybercriminals. Recent figures compiled by BDC show that 73 per cent of Canadian small and medium-sized enterprises experienced a cyber incident in the previous year. Data from Surfshark revealed that in the first quarter of 2025 alone, Canada saw 887,000 breached accounts. Total exposed accounts nationally now stand at 255 million, with 64.6 million unique emails affected - a rate among the highest in North America.

The freelancer threat

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labour Statistics, freelancers make up over 36 per cent of the U.S. labour market. They collectively contribute USD $1.4 trillion annually, as reported in the Freelancing in America 2024 survey. Verizon's 2024 report notes that cybercriminals target freelancers 350 per cent more frequently than regular employees, while Cybersecurity Ventures projects that nearly 43 per cent of cyberattacks will involve small businesses and independent workers by 2025. 

"Freelancers and solopreneurs have become indispensable to every business ecosystem, yet they remain dangerously exposed as vulnerable entry points for cyberattacks," said Gregory Dharma LePard, co-founder of Cybersnap.

Freelancers are increasingly a target in supply-chain cyberattacks, often acting as an entry point for breaches that affect not only their own businesses but also the operational security of their clients. 

The SoloSecure program was developed by Cybersnap, in partnership with BriteStart, by combining Cybersnap's cybersecurity education experience with BriteStart's network of independent professionals. Cybersnap co-founder Gregory Dharma LePard stated,

"Freelancers and solopreneurs have become indispensable to every business ecosystem, yet they remain dangerously exposed as vulnerable entry points for cyberattacks. SoloSecure delivers proven, practical training combined with a prestigious certification, empowering freelancers to protect themselves and the clients who depend on them."

SoloSecure training offers live, expert-led sessions tailored to the specific needs and workflows of independent professionals. The curriculum covers defence strategies for handling phishing, social engineering, and emerging threats exacerbated by artificial intelligence, including targeted modules on recognising AI-generated phishing content.

Instruction also focuses on safeguarding home networks and addressing problems like password reuse and weakness. Participants receive a digital certification and badge upon completion, which can be presented to clients as evidence of cybersecurity competence.