When a new client asked us to review their digital advertising, we started with a Google Ads account security audit.

What we discovered was not a performance issue.

It was a serious security risk.

Multiple ad accounts had been created over time.
Too many users had full admin access.
There were no centralized permissions or protection protocols.

Even gaining access took time.

But once inside, we realized ads had been running unchecked, spending nearly $6,000 per month beyond the intended budget.

And that was only the beginning.

When Poor Account Security Turns Into Real Financial Loss

Shortly after access was granted, the account was hacked.

Because admin permissions had never been cleaned up, unauthorized users were able to launch malicious campaigns.

Within three days:

• Three fraudulent ads launched
• Budgets overridden
• Nearly $70,000 in ad spend accumulated

This wasn’t a targeting problem.

It was a setup problem.

According to Google’s own account protection guidelines, limiting admin access is one of the most critical security steps for advertisers.
👉 https://support.google.com/google-ads/answer/6372672

Acting Fast: Containing the Damage

We immediately escalated the issue to Google’s billing and security teams.

At the same time, we:

• Paused compromised campaigns
• Initiated a full investigation
• Documented unauthorized activity
• Built a clean backup advertising account
• Relaunched campaigns to maintain lead flow

The client never lost momentum during peak season.

✅ Final result: $70,000 fully refunded.

The Real Issue Was Not Advertising Performance

Most conversations around Google Ads focus on:

Keywords
Headlines
Bidding strategies

But a proper Google Ads account security audit looks deeper.

Marketing success depends on:

✔ Account structure
✔ Permission control
✔ Platform integrations
✔ Data ownership
✔ Security oversight

Without these foundations, even successful campaigns are vulnerable.

Why Marketing Security Extends Beyond Google Ads

The same risks apply across your entire digital ecosystem:

• Social media accounts
• Website hosting
• Domains
• Email marketing platforms
• Analytics tools
• CRM systems
• Design software
• File sharing access

One weak access point can compromise everything.

This is why we approach marketing as infrastructure, not isolated campaigns.

You can see how structured systems impact long-term performance in our
👉 Flue Tech marketing case study
https://atriumvisual.studio/client-spotlight-flue-tech-inc/

Simplifying Access Without Sacrificing Security

Most business owners don’t have time to track passwords across ten platforms.

So we simplify the process.

ATRIUM uses secure integration tools that allow controlled access without sharing sensitive credentials.

No spreadsheets.
No outdated logins.
No operational risk.

Just a secure, centralized system.

Why Every Business Needs a Google Ads Account Security Audit

If multiple agencies, employees, or contractors have accessed your marketing accounts over time, risks accumulate quietly.

A professional Google Ads account security audit ensures:

• Correct ownership setup
• Restricted admin access
• Secure integrations
• Budget protection
• Long-term operational control

Security is not optional once advertising budgets scale.

Final Takeaway

Strong marketing starts with strong foundations.

Strategy matters.
Creative matters.
Targeting matters.

But none of it works without proper setup and protection.

Saving this client $70,000 was not luck.

It was structure.

And that’s exactly how we approach every marketing system we manage.