Empowering India’s Digital Future: The Journey of CYBERSEC. In Conversation with Sahil Saini, CEO of CYBERSEC.
EM: Tell us a bit about yourself and your background. What inspired you to start your own startup?
CS: I was inspired to start my business because I saw the growing need for cybersecurity services. As the world becomes increasingly interconnected, businesses and individuals are becoming more vulnerable to cyberattacks. I wanted to help people protect their data and their businesses from these threats.
EM: Tell us a little about your team. Who are the core team members and total strength of your team?
CS: My Co-Founder is Bharti and we have team strength of 60.
Our team comes from very specific background Cybersecurity our co-founder herself is from Finance in Cybersecurity.
EM: Briefly describe your startup and the problem it aims to solve.
CS: CYBERSEC offers an extensive range of services, including risk assessment, penetration testing, security awareness training, incident response, and managed security services. With a team of experienced cybersecurity professionals, CYBERSEC stays ahead of the ever-evolving threat landscape, providing businesses with affordable and scalable cybersecurity solutions.
EM: Can you share the story of how your startup came into being? What motivated you to pursue this idea?
CS: The idea for CYBERSEC came to me when I was working as a cybersecurity consultant. I saw firsthand the challenges that Indian companies face in protecting themselves from cyber attacks. I also saw that many Indian companies were not complying with the new DPDP Act 2023.
I was motivated to start CYBERSEC because I wanted to help Indian companies to fight cyber threats and comply with the DPDP Act 2023. I believe that cybersecurity is essential for all businesses, regardless of size or industry. I also believe that all Indian companies should be able to comply with the DPDP Act 2023, and I want to help them do that.
I started CYBERSEC in 2022 with a small team of experienced cybersecurity professionals. We have since grown to a team of over 50 people, and we have helped hundreds of Indian companies to improve their cybersecurity posture and comply with the DPDP Act 2023.
I am proud of what CYBERSEC has achieved in a short time, and I am committed to helping Indian companies to stay safe in the digital age.
EM: What were the initial challenges you faced while starting your business, and how did you overcome them?
CS: CYBERSEC faced a number of initial challenges while starting up, including:
Lack of brand awareness: As a new company, CYBERSEC had to work hard to build brand awareness and establish itself as a trusted cybersecurity provider.
Competition from established players: There are a number of established cybersecurity companies in India, and CYBERSEC had to differentiate itself from these competitors.
Securing funding: It can be difficult to secure funding for a startup, especially in a competitive industry like cybersecurity.
Hiring and retaining qualified staff: Cybersecurity is a skilled profession, and it can be difficult to find and retain qualified staff.
EM: What sets your startup apart from others in the same industry?
CS: CYBERSEC sets itself apart from other cybersecurity startups in a number of ways, including:
Focus on Indian market: CYBERSEC is one of the few cybersecurity startups that is focused on the Indian market. This gives CYBERSEC a deep understanding of the unique challenges and needs of Indian businesses.
Comprehensive range of services: CYBERSEC offers a comprehensive range of cybersecurity services, including security assessments, security monitoring, incident response, and compliance consulting. This allows CYBERSEC to provide a one-stop shop for cybersecurity for Indian businesses.
Team of experienced professionals: CYBERSEC has a team of experienced cybersecurity professionals who are passionate about helping Indian businesses to stay safe in the digital age.
In addition to the above, CYBERSEC also offers a number of unique features and benefits, including:
Affordable pricing: CYBERSEC offers its services at affordable prices, making them accessible to businesses of all sizes.
Flexible solutions: CYBERSEC offers flexible solutions to meet the specific needs of each business.
24/7 support: CYBERSEC offers 24/7 support to its customers, so they can be confident that they will always have help when they need it.
CYBERSEC also offers products like XDR, SIEM, and SOC. These products can be used to improve the security posture of Indian businesses and help them comply with the DPDP Act 2023.
EM: What is your unique selling proposition, and how does it benefit your customers?
CS: CYBERSEC’s unique selling proposition (USP) is that it offers a comprehensive range of cybersecurity services at affordable prices, with a focus on the Indian market. CYBERSEC also has a team of experienced professionals who are passionate about helping Indian businesses to stay safe in the digital age.
EM: Could you explain your startup’s business model? How do you generate revenue?
CS: We generate revenue by oferring licence of our products like XDR, SIEM and subscription of SOC.
EM: Are there any innovative or unconventional strategies you’ve employed to monetize your startup?
CS: Yes, we have employed a number of innovative and unconventional strategies to monetize our startup. Here are a few examples:
Partnering with other companies: We have partnered with a number of other companies, such as system integrators and managed service providers (MSPs), to offer our services to their customers. This has helped us to reach a wider audience and generate more revenue.
Offering a subscription model: We offer a subscription model for our services. This gives our customers the option to pay a monthly or annual fee for our services, which can be more affordable than paying for one-time services.
Offering free trials: We offer free trials of our services to potential customers. This allows them to try our services before they commit to a subscription.
Offering referral bonuses: We offer referral bonuses to our customers for referring new customers to our business. This has helped us to generate new leads and sales.
Utilizing social media: We utilize social media platforms such as LinkedIn, Twitter, and Facebook to market our services and generate leads. We also use social media to share educational content about cybersecurity, which helps to position us as thought leaders in the industry.
EM: Every startup faces challenges. What have been the major challenges you encountered, and how did you tackle them?
Every startup faces challenges, and CYBERSEC is no exception. Some of the major challenges we have faced include:
Lack of brand awareness: When we first started out, we had to work hard to build brand awareness and establish ourselves as a trusted cybersecurity provider.
Competition from established players: There are a number of established cybersecurity companies in India, and we had to differentiate ourselves from these competitors.
Securing funding: It can be difficult to secure funding for a startup, especially in a competitive industry like cybersecurity.
Hiring and retaining qualified staff: Cybersecurity is a skilled profession, and it can be difficult to find and retain qualified staff.
We have tackled these challenges in a number of ways, including:
Focusing on niche markets: We initially focused on niche markets, such as small and medium-sized businesses (SMBs) and startups. This allowed us to differentiate ourselves from larger, more established players.
Building a strong team: We invested in building a strong team of experienced cybersecurity professionals. This helped us to build trust with potential customers and partners.
Partnering with other companies: We partnered with other companies, such as system integrators and MSPs, to expand our reach and market share.
Attending industry events and participating in online forums: We attended industry events and participated in online forums to raise awareness of our brand and to generate leads.
EM: Can you share a specific difficult moment in your entrepreneurial journey and how you overcame it?
CS: One of the most difficult moments in my entrepreneurial journey was when we were first starting out and we were struggling to secure funding. We had a great team and a solid business plan, but we were new to the market and we didn’t have a lot of experience.
We were turned down by a number of investors, and we started to feel discouraged. But we didn’t give up. We kept networking with people in the industry and we continued to pitch our business to investors.
Finally, we were able to secure funding from a group of angel investors. This was a huge turning point for our business, and it allowed us to start growing and scaling our operations.
I learned a lot from this experience. I learned that it is important to be persistent and not give up, even when things are tough. I also learned that it is important to have a strong network of people who can support you and help you to achieve your goals.
I am grateful for the support of our investors, our team, and our customers. Without them, we would not have been able to overcome this challenge and achieve our success.
EM: What have been the most significant lessons you’ve learned as a startup founder?
CS: The most significant lessons I have learned as a startup founder are:
It is important to have a clear vision and mission for your business. This will help you to stay focused and motivated when facing challenges.
You need to be passionate about your business. This will help you to stay motivated and focused, even when things are tough.
You need to have a strong team. Your team is your most important asset, so invest in hiring and retaining qualified staff.
You need to be persistent and resilient. Starting a business is not easy, and there will be setbacks along the way. It is important to be persistent and resilient in order to overcome these challenges and achieve success.
You need to be flexible and adaptable. The startup world is constantly changing, so it is important to be flexible and adaptable in order to stay ahead of the curve.
EM: Is there a piece of advice you wish you had received before starting your entrepreneurial journey?
CS: If you have a brilliant idea, don’t hesitate to pursue it fearlessly. Be prepared to put in the hard work and dedicate long hours to your venture. Remember, it’s okay to seek assistance and guidance along the way. Stay persistent, never lose sight of your dreams, and know that you’re not alone. Many young entrepreneurs face similar challenges, so don’t hesitate to reach out for support.
EM: What have been the key milestones for your startup so far?
CS: Securing funding from a group of angel investors. This was a huge turning point for our business, and it allowed us to start growing and scaling our operations.
Hiring a team of experienced cybersecurity professionals. Our team is our most important asset, and we have been fortunate to hire some of the best cybersecurity professionals in India.
Signing our first customers. We are now working with a number of Indian businesses, helping them to improve their cybersecurity posture and comply with the DPDP Act 2023.
Partnering with other companies. We have partnered with a number of other companies, such as system integrators and MSPs, to expand our reach and market share.
Being recognized as a leading cybersecurity provider in India. We have been featured in a number of publications and have been recognized as a leading cybersecurity provider in India.
EM: Are there any particular achievements that you are especially proud of?
CS: We are the only Indian Cybersecurity Startup which have our own in-house XDR .
Helping Indian businesses to improve their cybersecurity posture. I am proud of the work that we are doing to help Indian businesses improve their cybersecurity posture and comply with the DPDP Act 2023. I believe that cybersecurity is essential for all businesses, and I am committed to helping Indian businesses to stay safe in the digital age.
EM How do you plan to scale your startup in the future?
CS: Expanding our team. We plan to expand our team in the next year to meet the growing demand for our services. This will allow us to serve more customers and offer a wider range of services.
Expanding our product and service offerings. We plan to expand our product and service offerings in the next year to meet the needs of more customers. This will allow us to serve a wider range of businesses and industries.
Expanding into new markets. We plan to expand into new markets in the next two years. This will allow us to reach more customers and grow our business.
EM: Can you share some insights into the strategies you’re employing to ensure sustainable growth?
CS: Focusing on customer satisfaction. We believe that customer satisfaction is the key to sustainable growth. We are focused on providing our customers with the best possible service and support.
Investing in innovation. We are investing in innovation to develop new products and services that meet the needs of our customers. We also invest in research and development to stay ahead of the curve in the cybersecurity industry.
Building a strong team. Our team is our most important asset. We invest in hiring and retaining qualified staff. We also provide our team with the training and development they need to succeed.
Expanding into new markets. We are expanding into new markets to reach more customers and grow our business. We also plan to expand our product and service offerings to meet the needs of more customers.
Partnering with other companies. We are partnering with other companies to expand our reach and offer a wider range of services to our customers. We also partner with other companies to develop new products and services.
EM: What advice would you give to aspiring entrepreneurs who are just starting their journey?
Have a clear vision and mission for your business. What are you trying to achieve? Why are you doing this? Having a clear vision and mission will help you stay focused and motivated on your journey.
Be passionate about your business. If you’re not passionate about what you’re doing, it will be difficult to succeed. Make sure you’re choosing a business that you’re truly excited about.
Do your research. Before you start your business, it’s important to do your research and understand the market you’re entering. This will help you develop a business plan that is realistic and achievable.
Build a strong team. No one can succeed in business alone. Surround yourself with a team of talented and passionate people who share your vision.
Be persistent and resilient. Starting a business is not easy. There will be setbacks along the way. But if you’re persistent and resilient, you will eventually succeed.
EM: Where do you see your startup in the next 5-10 years?
CS: Expand our product and service offerings to include a wider range of cybersecurity solutions.
Expand into new markets, including the United States and Europe.
Become a leader in the development of new cybersecurity technologies.
Help to make the digital world a safer place for everyone.
EM: What is your vision for the future, both personally and for your company?
CS: Personally, I envision a future where everyone is safe and secure in the digital world. I want to see a world where businesses of all sizes can operate without fear of cyber attack, and where individuals can protect their privacy and security online.
I believe that technology has the potential to make the world a better place, but it is important to use technology responsibly. I am committed to using my skills and knowledge to help make the digital world a safer place for everyone.
For my company, I envision a future where CYBERSEC is a leading cybersecurity provider in India and globally. I want CYBERSEC to be known for its innovative cybersecurity solutions, its commitment to customer satisfaction, and its dedication to making the digital world a safer place.
I believe that CYBERSEC has the potential to make a real difference in the world. I am committed to leading CYBERSEC to success and to helping businesses and individuals stay safe in the digital age.
I am excited to see what the future holds for both myself and for CYBERSEC. I believe that we can make a positive impact on the world, and I am committed to doing so.
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