Cybersecurity professionals face ever-increasing challenges in protecting sensitive data and systems from sophisticated threats. To better equip those on the front lines, we reached out to cybersecurity professionals, startup founders, and CEOs to gather insights and get their practical advice on staying ahead of cyber adversaries.
In our latest We Asked, They Answered column, we asked a group of cybersecurity experts the same question:
What is one piece of advice you’d share with someone looking to build in the cybersecurity space?
Here are their responses:
Nick Santora, founder and CEO of Curricula, a cybersecurity training platform that was acquired by Huntress for $22 million in early 2023.
Santora’s Advice: “Cybersecurity is a very difficult market to build a startup in. It requires trust and the technical efficiencies to lead a market segment. I learned early on that individual buyers in cybersecurity receive hundreds of sales requests on every channel each week. They have a lot of problems to deal with, so resonating with their workload becomes first and foremost.
Similar to other industries, cybersecurity requires long term goal setting with your market for them to be able to trust a small but effectively growing startup. Building your reputation early can help benefit the growth of your company’s perception in the market.”
Julie Mungai, Senior Manager, Attest Services at BARR Advisory, a cloud-based security and compliance solutions provider
Mungai’s Advice: “The one piece of advice that I would give to founders building in the cybersecurity space is to keep in mind that cybersecurity relies on trust. Establishing trust is of utmost importance. This means being upfront and transparent about everything. Especially about what the product can and cannot do. It might slow down growth and adoption, but it builds credibility of the product and team. Do not be tempted to overstate or use any misleading marketing tactics to artificially drive growth. Nothing builds trust like being honest.”
Dave Colesante, CEO of Atlanta-based Apptega
Jim Watts, Managing Partner at The Tech Collective
Watts’ Advice: “The Cybersecurity conversation is broken, and nobody owns it. The conversation needs to start with risk and exposure from a financial and process liability before the requirements to build can start. As a Business Leader are you prepared?”
Zach Eikenberry, CEO of South Carolina-based Hook Security
Hook Security is a psychological security awareness training company that raised a $5 million seed round in 2023.
Eikenberry’s Advice: “Do not under invest in your training programs. Most cybersecurity tools are hidden from your colleagues and employees, but not your training. The training you provide them directly reflects what you think about their value, their time, and their ability to participate in your security culture. Show them respect and care by carefully evaluating your security training experience.”
Trenelle Pierce MBA, Director of Business Development at Cytellix Corporation
Pierce’s Advice: “For those that are invested in building or pivoting into a cybersecurity career there is power in Mastering YOU. This includes being intentional with your personal development, finding gate openers and strategic volunteering. Personal development will help with daily habits, prioritization, and self-will. Gate openers/sponsors have a vested interest in supporting your career goals and can drive accountability. Volunteering allows you to explore new roles and strengthen skills while helping a noteworthy cause. All three of these actions will lead to a great career.”
Adam Fowler, CISA, CISSP, Design Compliance and Security, LLC
Fowler’s Advice: “If you’re building a cybersecurity product from the ground up, make sure to gather insights from those who have done the job your product aims to support. Too often, I encounter products that seem promising but fail to address real-world scenarios I regularly encounter. It’s essential to ensure your product is grounded in practical, everyday needs, not just theoretical ideas.”
