Ninad Mathpati hails from India and considers himself a cybersecurity specialist. A Core Pentester for 2 1/2 years, he is also a Lead and content contributor. He entered the field in 2018 through Bug Bounties and freelance pentesting work. At the time, he was working as an Application Security Engineer, but he soon took a leap of faith in starting his own business: SecurityBoat. He and his team work on fortifying clients' infrastructures while simultaneously developing their proprietary cybersecurity product.
For Ninad, SecurityBoat isn’t just about making money; it’s about community collaboration. He hosts monthly meet-ups for infosec colleagues coined as SB Meetup.
“These events foster a collaborative environment, enabling participants to exchange knowledge, learn from one another, and expand their professional networks,” he said.
What is SecurityBoat?
SecurityBoat Cybersecurity Solutions Pvt Ltd is a premier cybersecurity consultancy committed to helping clients identify and mitigate security risks through tailored services. By offering vulnerability assessments, penetration testing, compliance assistance, and security consultation, SecurityBoat empowers clients to safeguard their critical assets, uphold their reputations, and make informed decisions regarding their cybersecurity investments.
“SecurityBoat's comprehensive approach to risk mitigation and compliance ensures clients can confidently navigate the ever-evolving cyber threat landscape,” Ninad said.
Passion for cybersecurity founded SecurityBoat, along with an understanding of the growing demand for professional services.
Ninad said he recognized that many organizations lacked the resources and expertise to defend their critical assets from ever-evolving cyber threats.
“Driven by our desire to make a difference and inspired by the potential of developing innovative cybersecurity products, we established SecurityBoat to provide comprehensive, high-quality cybersecurity services for businesses of all sizes and industries,” he said.
The company also hopes to impact the community through SB meetups positively. SecurityBoat fosters cybersecurity awareness through its Non-Profit Cybersecurity community group, SB Meetup, offering a platform for knowledge-sharing and networking, ultimately contributing to a more secure and protected digital landscape for all.
The Origins of SecurityBoat
A few months before the COVID-19 pandemic, Ninad was exploring opportunities to advance his career. When the pandemic struck, and he was stuck working from home, he realized that now was the time to start his cybersecurity venture.
“Luckily, my family has always supported my career choices and encouraged me to take the leap, stepping away from the traditional 9-to-5 job to create a cybersecurity solutions company,” he said.
Ninad said he was proud of what SecurityBoat has accomplished so far as a cybersecurity company that caters to clients from various industries. He said that launching the company has been a life-changing experience.
“As the founder, I've had to wear multiple hats from the outset, handling tasks such as HR, client calls, lead generation, and company documentation,” he said. “Each day brings new challenges and learning opportunities, making the journey from employee to employer an exciting and thrilling ride. I often remind myself to expect the unexpected, as life can always surprise us with new twists and turns.”
Launching a company has been an ongoing adventure for Ninad, with endless opportunities and expansion.
“Despite the inevitable obstacles, witnessing SecurityBoat's growth and positive influence on the cybersecurity industry has made the entire experience truly rewarding and worthwhile.”
One of the challenges Ninad referred to was building their reputation from scratch as a newcomer. He also said limited resources demanded near perfection in delivering services while staying cost-effective.
Because of limited resources and budget, finding a talented team was another obstacle they ran into. Despite these hurdles, Ninad points to their love of cybersecurity that got them through those challenges.
Day in the life of the CEO of SecurityBoat
Ninad: “As the founder and CEO of SecurityBoat, my day-to-day activities involve a mix of managerial and operational tasks. Firstly, we start our day with a standup call where I interact with all the team members to plan activities and distribute tasks based on priorities. After that, I usually engage in client meetings to discuss their requirements and provide updates on our project progress. I also communicate with our existing clients to ensure they are satisfied with our services and address any concerns or issues they may have. Apart from client meetings, I also collaborate with the development team to monitor the progress of our in-house tool that we are developing. I provide necessary feedback to ensure that we are on track and that the tool is being developed as per the requirements.
In addition, I monitor the team's activities to ensure that everything is progressing as planned. If any issues or challenges arise, I work with the team to resolve them and keep the project on track. Overall, my role involves overseeing the company's various activities to ensure that we are delivering high-quality cybersecurity services to our clients and that our team is working effectively and efficiently.”
The Future
SecurityBoat’s client base has been steadily growing and they’ve started to expand the services offered. They are also working on an in-house security product to launch commercially eventually.
“We plan to continue focusing on providing high-quality, comprehensive cybersecurity solutions to our clients and helping them manage their cybersecurity risks effectively,” Ninad said. “We also plan to expand our team further and continue to innovate and improve our services to stay ahead of the curve.”
The vision: “As SecurityBoat's founder, my vision revolves around addressing cybersecurity challenges by offering clear and practical solutions. I foresee cybersecurity threats becoming increasingly complex and sophisticated in the years to come, and we must remain at the forefront of innovation to safeguard our clients.”
Advice for those looking to start their own company
"Embarking on the journey of launching your own company can be an incredibly fulfilling experience. It's never too late to take the leap, and as the pillar of the company, strive for self-reliance while always being prepared for the unexpected.
To succeed, focus on building a strong team, and being honest with yourself and your team members. Hire passionate, skilled individuals who share your vision. Adaptability is key; stay agile and responsive to rapidly changing market conditions, adjusting strategies and offerings as needed. Remain motivated and persistent throughout the challenging process, as perseverance and hard work are essential.
Learn from your team's wealth of knowledge and experience, and foster a collaborative work environment. Embrace calculated risks, as learning from failures is vital for growth and success. Lastly, prioritize networking—connect with industry leaders, attend conferences, and seek mentorship opportunities for continuous learning.
With the right mindset, planning, and execution, starting a company can be a rewarding endeavor."
