Cybersecurity Leadership: Scaling Trust and Relationship over 16 Years

In this episode of Paranoid Founders, brought to you by Contingent, Kevin sits down with Eric, the Co-Founder & COO of Firmus, a leading cybersecurity company in Malaysia. Together, they delve into the intricacies of building a cybersecurity business from the ground up, discussing everything from the early days of establishing a foothold in an emerging industry to becoming a recognised authority in cybersecurity.

🔍 Eric's Journey – Starting with Firmus over 16 years ago and the challenges faced in an era when cybersecurity was hardly a priority. How his first venture, E Corp, evolved into Firmus and what made that transition significant.

🔒 The Growth of Cybersecurity in Malaysia – The evolution of cybersecurity awareness over time, particularly in financial sectors and how compliance-driven growth has shaped the industry.

🛡️ The Role of Trust in Cybersecurity – Why trust is the bedrock of the cybersecurity business and how building long-term relationships played a crucial role in Firmus's growth.

🚀 Innovating and Adapting – How Firmus stayed ahead by constantly innovating and introducing AI-driven solutions, while also maintaining a balance between service offerings and technology.

⚖️ Tackling Competition – Insights on managing competition in an ever-growing industry, with a unique perspective on why collaboration is essential in cybersecurity.

💡 Challenges in Building a Team – The difficulties and rewards of growing a team from 40 to over 100 employees, and the importance of maintaining company culture, diversity, and core values.

🌐 Scaling Beyond Borders – How Firmus expanded into Singapore and why Eric trusted an intern-turned-employee to lead the way.

👩‍💼 People and Leadership – Real talk about what it takes to manage and grow a successful team in a highly technical field and how Firmus invests in the development and retention of talent.

🔑 Incident Response and Managing Breaches – A deep dive into how Firmus handles real-life cybersecurity breaches, incident response best practices, and why adhering to a structured playbook is critical.

• Cybersecurity is a trust business – Building strong relationships is essential.
• Proactive vs. Reactive Security – Understanding that many businesses only prioritize cybersecurity after an incident, and how Firmus’s approach addresses this challenge.
• The Importance of Adaptability – How evolving with market demands has kept Firmus relevant.
• Managing Growth and People – Insights into leadership, maintaining core values, and fostering a collaborative work environment.

• How Eric and his team navigated the pandemic and used it as a growth opportunity for Firmus.
• The crucial role of mentorship and empowering employees, even allowing former interns to lead new ventures.
• Eric’s take on risk management and how Firmus prepares for the unexpected in a rapidly changing digital landscape.

Eric emphasizes the importance of trust, relationship-building, and staying ahead of the curve in a constantly evolving industry. He shares valuable lessons on leadership, people management, and what it takes to succeed in cybersecurity.