Fear is a great sales tool. This is probably more prevalent in the cybersecurity industry than anywhere else. Worried about a data breach? Spend thousands on this product. Concerned about a ransomware attack? Here’s an expensive solution. No wonder cybersecurity has a spotty track record. Before co-founding Nclose in 2007 with my business partner Stephen Osler, we saw how many vendors and integrators used fear to sell their cybersecurity “solutions” instead of listening to their customers’ specific problems. According to IBM’s Cost of a Data Breach 2022 report: - 83% of companies will be breached at some point- The average cost of a single breach was $9.44 m. in the US and $4.35 m. globally- Cybercrime will cost businesses around $10.5 trillion by 2025- Phishing is up by 48% and ransomware by 41% These statistics shouldn't be ignored, but I don’t believe that using them to scare people into buying your products is in anyone’s best interests – least of all your customers’. Stephen and I started Nclose to fill a huge gap in the cybersecurity industry. We knew the market was hungry for more than it was currently getting from integrators. We’ve built our professional reputations on the fact that we don’t just sell a product, we actively help businesses implement it properly and mature their cybersecurity posture. One of my strengths is that I really understand where our customers are coming from, so I can tailor the services we deliver according to the value they add from their perspective. There are so many ways to tackle cybersecurity but when you really understand the risks, you can implement a solution that ensures optimal protection and the best possible value for money. Much of my motivation comes from having seen first-hand the devastating impact a cyberattack can have on a business. This is why I found so much joy in building our MDR solution from scratch, as it gave us the flexibility to create the kind of tool that would stop attackers from destroying businesses and livelihoods. I intend to keep on playing this game of cat and mouse, fighting the bad guys, and deploying my passion for creation and continuous improvement to build robust cybersecurity systems and processes that adapt and evolve in step with whatever the cybercriminals try to do. I’m not here to scare you into improving your cybersecurity posture, but to help you see it as a benefit, not a grudge purchase. Implemented correctly, it helps your business be more agile, giving you the confidence that you’re protecting your customers and the way you do business.