Most marketing firms think of cybersecurity as an IT problem. At New Initiatives Marketing Inc.®, we consider it a client service standard.
We formalized our cybersecurity approach across the entire professional team supporting NIM client work. That includes the writers, designers, SEO specialists, and strategists who execute on behalf of NIM clients every day. These professionals run their own independent businesses and bring deep subject-matter expertise to their work. Several have been part of the NIM team since 2018. This is a seasoned group, and we value its longevity. So does their ongoing professional development.
The Risk Is Real, and It Is Close to Home
The reality of how we work together creates natural risk points. Each professional uses their own devices, systems, and document workflows while accessing and sharing sensitive client files. That distributed model is a strength in terms of expertise and flexibility. It also means that without a shared standard for how we handle client data, we are operating on assumptions rather than protocols.
The numbers make the case clearly. According to a 2024 BDC survey, 73% of Canadian small businesses report having experienced a cybersecurity incident, ranging from phishing attempts to denial-of-service attacks. That same survey found that only two in five small businesses have implemented cybersecurity training for their staff. Those two figures together point to a gap that is both common and preventable.
What We Did About It
The full NIM professional team completed a one-hour live cybersecurity training webinar offered by Cybersnap, a Toronto-based firm, and led by Gregory Dharma LePard SecurityX, CCSK the Chief Cyber Culture Officer, who holds Security X+, CCSK v4, and AWS AI credentials. The session covers both foundational knowledge and practical measures that freelancers and consultants can apply immediately when working across multiple platforms and shared documents. Successful completion results in a certification that can be added to a LinkedIn profile. NIM covered the full cost for every team member.
Why This Matters to Our Clients
This decision reflects two things we believe about running a serious B2B marketing firm. First, client data and client work deserve a consistent standard of protection, regardless of who is handling them. Second, investing in the professionals who support NIM clients is part of building a team worth keeping. Training that strengthens their credibility with their own clients, not just with NIM, is the kind of investment that makes the relationship worth more to both sides.
If your external marketing firm has access to your business data, your client files, or your internal communications, that access carries responsibility. Ask what standards they hold their team to. The answer will tell you a lot about how seriously they take your business.
