Did you know that 60% of small businesses that are hacked go out of business within six months of being hacked? As shocking as that is, consider this fact: the average hack costs a small business about $690,000 according to the U.S. National Cyber Security Alliance. That sobering reality is one reason why Christian Espinosa is fighting back. Christian is the best-selling author of The Smartest Person in the Room: The Root Cause and New Solution for Cybersecurity. He is also an entrepreneur, and in 2014, he founded Alpine Security, a cybersecurity training and services company before becoming a managing director at Cerberus Sentinel in December 2020. Christian has stepped into the war against cyber criminals by training technical leaders and staff in his 7-Step Secure Methodology, outlined in his book.

Christian is driven by a deep sense of justice as well as concerns that the cybersecurity industry needs to change. “Look at how many data breaches occur every day. The more successful criminals are, the more they keep trying. We’re working to stop them, but it’s not enough because there’s too much reliance on complicated frameworks, certified people, and technology. We need a better way to fight back against this, and I believe I have one.”

His ideas come from nearly thirty years of experience. Christian has seen many issues that still plague the industry, including intellectual bullying and posturing. “It’s time to stop tolerating and accepting these problems. If we don’t, we’re going to see the next ten years look a lot like the last ten, and cybercriminals will continue to hack us. Now is the time to switch directions and fight back in a new way.”

Christian’s experience makes him an in-demand speaker and trainer. He has trained over 10,000 people in cybersecurity through in-person courses. He is currently developing a course he will teach in Secure Methodology, a topic covered in his book, and he anticipates the class will begin around April 15, 2021.

Success and tenacity are part of Christian’s mindset, and it shows in everything he does. “For Alpine Security, our revenue was near $1.5M before we sold it. We served over 200 clients with penetration testing, CISO-as-a-Service, and audits. We also trained over 2,500 students in cybersecurity. For my book, I made the best-seller list in six categories during my launch week: Social Aspects of the Internet, Viruses & Malware, Online Safety & Piracy, Software Engineering, Network Security, and Computers and Technology. I believe in putting everything I have into everything I do and cultivating my brand. I maintain a realistic mindset, and when things don’t work out, I keep on going anyway. I believe that if I don’t give up, the results will come.”

Behind each of Christian’s achievements has been many obstacles he’s had to overcome. “Personnel issues, cash flow problems, legal battles, upset clients – you name it, I’ve seen it. I could have let this stress me, but really, if your problems are not getting bigger, you’re not growing. Many people think that a successful business has no problems or challenges, but I disagree. There should always be things to solve – you just shouldn’t be solving the same challenges you were wrestling with a year ago. Otherwise, you have not grown or learned the lesson. When I look at it that way, I don’t mind obstacles.”

 Christian has other advice for entrepreneurs who are just starting out. “The most fundamental question is this: do you know why you want to become an entrepreneur? If you aren’t sure, I recommend doing the “7 Levels Deep” exercise with someone on this. If you don’t understand your why, it’s going to be very hard to keep going, especially during the dismal times. Second, have clarity on your ideal client and how you transform them. Third, get good at marketing – if you build something, that doesn’t mean anyone will come for it. You need to get your marketing dialed in and speak in terms your ideal clients can relate to.”

Christian is always making plans for the future and envisioning where he wants to be. “I see myself focusing on training, coaching, and mentoring people in my Secure Methodology, covered in my book. I also see my second book, an autobiography, being completed in the middle of 2022. Also, I would like to live somewhere nice and have a lifestyle that supports my creative endeavors.” 

This finisher of 22 Ironman triathlons and owner of five patents has his own definition of success. “Success is knowing where you’re headed and feeling content with where you are on the journey.  Success is living life happily on your own terms, without judgment of self or of others. It’s not about how much money you make.”

He pauses, then laughs a little. “In the end, if you’re having a bad day and success seems like it will never come, I recommend turning off the computer and eating spicy food while you listen to heavy metal music. If nothing else, that will put life in its proper perspective.”