By Andrei Avădănei, CEO of Bit Sentinel

Introduction: from idea to a startup

Ten years ago, Bit Sentinel was just an idea or even better, a dream. Today, we’re a team of 25+ cybersecurity professionals helping businesses around the globe to stay ahead of malicious actors. Looking back, I’ve learned a lot – not just about cybersecurity but about leadership, growth, and what it takes to build a company that lasts.

Here are 10 lessons that shaped my journey.

1. Start before you feel ready

2014-2015: Just an idea. No roadmap, no guarantees.

Starting a business is uncomfortable, especially for a technical person whose preferred way for working is in front of the laptop. If you wait for the perfect moment, it will never come. I had to overcome all my anxieties and trust that learning would happen along the way.

Actionable takeaway: The best way to start is to simply start. Perfection comes with iteration.

2. The right team changes everything

Then: Wearing multiple hats. Now: A strong, committed and specialized team.

In the early days, I tried doing everything myself. Why? Because I’ve always been an overachiever trying to push boundaries and reach towards the sky. Big mistake. The moment I focused on hiring smart, driven people, the company leveled up and I realised that #teamwork is better than #one man show. 

Actionable takeaway: Hire for mindset and adaptability, not just skills.

3. Reputation is your strongest asset

Cybersecurity is built on trust.

I’ve been in the cybersecurity industry for as long as I remember and actually people know me as the Romanian White Hat Hacker from all public appearances I had in the past. No amount of marketing beats a solid reputation or at least not in the long run. This is what I advise to my team members, to always own their successes and failures while building a strong reputation on an individual level as well as a team or as a company. Now, together with my team, we have one main goal: delivering exceptional results, and that led to organic growth, referrals, and long-term partnerships. 

Actionable takeaway: Do great work. The best marketing is a client who trusts and values your work.

4. Growth brings new challenges or opportunities. And why is that a good thing?

From survival mode to learning and scaling mode.

At first, problems were about getting clients. Now, it’s about optimizing processes, keeping culture strong, and maintaining agility. Each stage brings a new set of challenges, but that’s a sign of progress and offers each of us a learning journey.

Actionable takeaway: Don’t fear bigger problems – they mean you’re growing.

5. Cybersecurity is a moving target

What worked yesterday won’t work today or tomorrow.

The world is changing and threats evolve fast. Businesses that don’t adapt get left behind. Our secret, both as individuals and as a team, came from staying ahead of the game – investing time in research, innovation, upskilling, and pushing boundaries. Moreover, 

Actionable takeaway: Never stop learning. Procrastination is the biggest risk.

6. The right customers are more important than more customers

Technical excellence isn’t always enough – you need customers and partners for your services and products.

For a long time, I believed that great work would naturally attract clients. It helps indeed, but sales drive business growth. Learning how to sell (without being salesy) was and still is a game-changer.

Actionable takeaway: If you can’t sell your product or service, your business won’t grow.

7. The founder’s/CEO job evolves constantly

At first: Doing everything at all times. Now: Building systems, connections and teams.

Being a CEO at five people is different from being a CEO at 25. My role shifted from 100 % execution towards strategizing, culture building, and mostly decision-making.

Actionable takeaway: Adapt your role as the company grows. Trust your team to delegate while thinking long-term strategies.

8. Saying “no” is more important than saying “yes”

Not all clients, partnerships, or ideas are the right fit for you.

Early on, I used to say yes to everything – projects, clients, meetings. Over time, I learned that saying no to the good things makes room for the great ones. Being selective helps you to bring clarity and focus on the things that matter.

Actionable takeaway: Be selective. Growth isn’t about doing more; it’s about doing the right things.

9. Crisis moments define you

Breaches, incidents, new threats, market shifts – resilience matters.

Cybersecurity means dealing with high-stakes situations. Every crisis taught me something about leadership: be accountable, stay calm, act fast, and communicate clearly.

Actionable takeaway: Your response to tough moments determines your future endeavors.

10. The journey is just beginning

10 years in, and we’re still learning, growing, evolving.

One can never see the finish line – in entrepreneurship it’s a continuous process. The last 10 years have been incredible, but we’re still just getting started.

Actionable takeaway: Always look forward. There’s no “made it” moment – just new goals and new challenges.

Final thoughts

Building Bit Sentinel over the past decade has been one of the most challenging and rewarding experiences of my life. The lessons I’ve learned came from real struggles, mistakes, and wins. If you’re an entrepreneur, cybersecurity professional, or someone starting out, I hope these insights help you navigate your journey. Learning by doing is the best way to experience entrepreneurship and make a difference in the world. 

What’s the biggest lesson you’ve learned in the past decade?

Bonus lesson (because you’ve made it this far with us): ALWAYS EXPECT THE UNEXPECTED!

Every day brings both good news and bad news. One moment, you’re resilient; the next, you’re facing your biggest challenge. The key is to embrace uncertainty, celebrate every win, and tackle every obstacle head-on.

Stay present, stay adaptable, and keep moving forward.