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Cyber for Builders: The Essential Guide to Building a Cybersecurity Startup
Most cybersecurity books are written for hackers, security leaders and practitioners, and a general audience. This book is different as it is intended first and foremost for builders - startup founders, security engineers, marketing and sales teams, product managers, VCs, angel investors, software developers, investor relations and analyst relations professionals, and others who are building the future of cybersecurity. Featuring forewords by Caleb Sima and Jeremiah Grossman, and contributions by renowned cybersecurity entrepreneurs, operators, thought leaders, and investors, Cyber for Builders is the most comprehensive guide for security entrepreneurs and anyone looking for ways to help their cybersecurity startup, product, line of business, or a portfolio company succeed.
Cyber for Builders provides an overview of the cybersecurity industry from entrepreneurial lenses, breaks down the role of a variety of industry players, from investors to channel partners and acquirers, and offers insight into the trends shaping the future of security. Moreover, the book is packed with mental models, notes, and advice to help early-stage cybersecurity founders get their ideas off the ground and solve problems faced by young companies around problem discovery, hiring, building products, and fundraising, to name some.
“Cyber for Builders" offers an essential roadmap for navigating the cybersecurity vendor landscape (and all the parts that comprise it), resonating with my own successes and failures in building a company in this field. It's a must-read for any first-time security founder or VC.” - Jonathan Haas, Co-Founder and CEO at ThreatKey
"One of the first comprehensive, top to bottom, views of the cybersecurity market from an operator's perspective. If you are building in cyber and have a question - this is a great place to start. 10/10 would recommend." - James Green, General Partner at CRV
"Cyber for Builders" is an indispensable guide for security practitioners looking to embrace an entrepreneurial journey. The book blends strategic insights about the industry with practical wisdom about building cybersecurity startups. Any aspiring or early-stage founder in the security space should read this book." - Ravi Ithal, Co-Founder and CTO at Normalyze, previously Co-Founder and Chief Architect at Netskope
"Ross is one of the most prolific and thoughtful voices on the business of cybersecurity today. Product folk, founders, and aspiring builders take this quick-hitting book is a valuable primer for anyone seeking to understand the complex dynamics at play in cybersecurity company building. Read before building." - Allison Averill, Vice President at Unusual Ventures
"With a blend of practical insights and entrepreneurial wisdom, Ross guides aspiring professionals in navigating the dynamic landscape of cybersecurity, providing a roadmap for success in both innovation and market penetration. A must-read for those seeking to master the intricacies of bringing cybersecurity solutions to market." - Moty Jacob, Co-Founder and CEO at SURF Security
“As an early-stage investor for 10 years, I find Ross’s insights thought-provoking and invaluable for those seeking to make change in our industry.” - Andrew Smyth, Partner at Atlantic Bridge
“The cybersecurity industry is a unique beast to navigate. Trends come as quickly as they go and acronyms appear out of thin air which makes building meaningful businesses a tough challenge.
Cyber for Builders provides an overview of the cybersecurity industry from entrepreneurial lenses, breaks down the role of a variety of industry players, from investors to channel partners and acquirers, and offers insight into the trends shaping the future of security. Moreover, the book is packed with mental models, notes, and advice to help early-stage cybersecurity founders get their ideas off the ground and solve problems faced by young companies around problem discovery, hiring, building products, and fundraising, to name some.
“Cyber for Builders" offers an essential roadmap for navigating the cybersecurity vendor landscape (and all the parts that comprise it), resonating with my own successes and failures in building a company in this field. It's a must-read for any first-time security founder or VC.” - Jonathan Haas, Co-Founder and CEO at ThreatKey
"One of the first comprehensive, top to bottom, views of the cybersecurity market from an operator's perspective. If you are building in cyber and have a question - this is a great place to start. 10/10 would recommend." - James Green, General Partner at CRV
"Cyber for Builders" is an indispensable guide for security practitioners looking to embrace an entrepreneurial journey. The book blends strategic insights about the industry with practical wisdom about building cybersecurity startups. Any aspiring or early-stage founder in the security space should read this book." - Ravi Ithal, Co-Founder and CTO at Normalyze, previously Co-Founder and Chief Architect at Netskope
"Ross is one of the most prolific and thoughtful voices on the business of cybersecurity today. Product folk, founders, and aspiring builders take this quick-hitting book is a valuable primer for anyone seeking to understand the complex dynamics at play in cybersecurity company building. Read before building." - Allison Averill, Vice President at Unusual Ventures
"With a blend of practical insights and entrepreneurial wisdom, Ross guides aspiring professionals in navigating the dynamic landscape of cybersecurity, providing a roadmap for success in both innovation and market penetration. A must-read for those seeking to master the intricacies of bringing cybersecurity solutions to market." - Moty Jacob, Co-Founder and CEO at SURF Security
“As an early-stage investor for 10 years, I find Ross’s insights thought-provoking and invaluable for those seeking to make change in our industry.” - Andrew Smyth, Partner at Atlantic Bridge
“The cybersecurity industry is a unique beast to navigate. Trends come as quickly as they go and acronyms appear out of thin air which makes building meaningful businesses a tough challenge.
- GenresBusiness
238 pages, Kindle Edition
Published January 3, 2024
65 people are currently reading
105 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews
February 13, 2024
Well-written and comprehensive view of managing start-up products that entice companies, VCs, investors, and the start-up's employees.
The book is completely devoid of examples / case studies. In this book it is critical for the reader to really see the pitfalls or benefits of the logical actions foretold .
Enjoyable but it was not memorable due to the lack of anecdotes. The comments and "expert insight" noted by the author and others were great -but examples of why and why not, left me a bit empty.
The book is completely devoid of examples / case studies. In this book it is critical for the reader to really see the pitfalls or benefits of the logical actions foretold .
Enjoyable but it was not memorable due to the lack of anecdotes. The comments and "expert insight" noted by the author and others were great -but examples of why and why not, left me a bit empty.
February 23, 2024
It’s all here and it’s got a solid grip on what works today
Ross Haleliuk has not just the best Substack to read if you are on a team building a cybersecurity software or services company, but with this book he has published the essential blueprint.
Most startups fail - it’s a fact. Ross has a great chapter in the book on why they fail.
More importantly, Ross has done great job bringing the bigger picture to life, from idea sorting, to funding, to GTM, to the strategies and tactics that scale growth. It reads fast, is chock full of great quotes by today’s smartest founders and influencers.
It’s rare to find a book that seamlessly weaves in the GTM (Direct, PLG or Channel) with the GTM strategies and tactics to get to the ICP and Buyer Personas in such a smart way. Ross gets it.
Founders, Investors, and the GTM and Leadership teams at today’s cybersecurity startups should read this book. Let’s end “founders syndrome” together.
Ross Haleliuk has not just the best Substack to read if you are on a team building a cybersecurity software or services company, but with this book he has published the essential blueprint.
Most startups fail - it’s a fact. Ross has a great chapter in the book on why they fail.
More importantly, Ross has done great job bringing the bigger picture to life, from idea sorting, to funding, to GTM, to the strategies and tactics that scale growth. It reads fast, is chock full of great quotes by today’s smartest founders and influencers.
It’s rare to find a book that seamlessly weaves in the GTM (Direct, PLG or Channel) with the GTM strategies and tactics to get to the ICP and Buyer Personas in such a smart way. Ross gets it.
Founders, Investors, and the GTM and Leadership teams at today’s cybersecurity startups should read this book. Let’s end “founders syndrome” together.
February 26, 2024
An excellent gap-filling read for not only founders in the world of cybersecurity but also practitioners, buyers and Angels. The book sheds light on how these [can] work together, typical decision making processes, and what go-to-market strategies, etc. to consider. The great part is the book can be read by non-cyber founders as well since the distinctions drawn (from non-cyber startup building) are equally educational.
January 21, 2024
Amazing book and must read for all in cybersecurity startup ecosystem and especially founders and early stage teams.
Loved the clarity of the book along with condensed information it provides.
Loved the clarity of the book along with condensed information it provides.
November 22, 2024
I wish there were more articles and evidence of some of the claims about the businesses. There are statements made but not evidence to support it.
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews