Ep 7 | Why Your Startup Needs Cybersecurity (Even on a Budget): Insights from NY Tech Week with Alex Paunic

Hello, Sunflower Squad! Lena Clark here, founder of Sunflower UX and host of the Sunflower Squad Podcast. Today, I’m coming to you from the heart of New York Tech Week, where innovation, strategy, and community collide. I had the chance to speak with Alex Paunic, co-founder of PreCog Security. This conversation is a must-listen for anyone building a business from the ground up!

If you think cybersecurity is just a “big tech” problem, this episode will change your mind. We’re breaking down:

• Why startups and small businesses are prime targets for cyberattacks

• What you can do to protect your people

• How to safeguard your data

• Ways to secure your future without blowing your budget

Why Startups Still Struggle with Cybersecurity

Here’s the reality: half of all cyberattacks target small businesses. The reason is simple: they’re often under-protected, overextended, and operating with lean teams. And when an attack happens, the damage doesn’t stop at your systems. It erodes individual trust and brand reputation.

Having conducted research in cybersecurity, I can say this with confidence: if you wait until you need protection, you’re already too late. As Alex explained, “The last thing you want before landing your dream client is an urgent call: ‘We got hacked.’”

Cybersecurity isn’t just about compliance. It’s about trust, safety, and the long-term sustainability of your business.

PreCog Security’s Unique Approach: Smart, Simple, and Scalable

Alex Paunic, co-founder of PreCog Security, has more than 20 years of cybersecurity experience at companies like McAfee and Intel. His mission is clear: Help startups and small businesses protect themselves without draining their budgets.

Here’s how PreCog’s approach works:

• Simplify the complex: Break cybersecurity into a few critical, repeatable habits.

• Prioritize impact: Implement low-cost, high-impact tools like multi-factor authentication and password managers.

• Support teams: Provide practical guidance that respects the pace and capacity of small teams.

As a UX researcher, I find this approach refreshing. It increases accessibility to cybersecurity while remaining human-centered. It reframes security as empowerment rather than fear.

Cybersecurity and UX: Two Sides of the Same Coin

Think of cybersecurity as the foundation of a home. UX shapes the experience of each room, but if the foundation isn’t stable, the whole structure is compromised.

You cannot build trust with your users if you aren’t protecting their data. Security is part of the user experience. The systems behind your product matter just as much as the interface in front of it.

Start Smart: Cyber Safety Tips You Can Act on Immediately

PreCog Security works with startups and small businesses around the world to strengthen their systems while they scale. Their message is simple: cybersecurity should never be an afterthought. It’s a competitive advantage, a trust signal, and a mark of maturity for both investors and customers.

Here are four immediate steps Alex recommends:

1. Use Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA): That extra login step is one of the strongest deterrents to hackers. If it slows you down, it slows them down more. Use it across email, SaaS tools, and payroll systems.

2. Click with caution: Train your team to avoid suspicious links. One careless click can have devastating consequences.

3. Manage passwords strategically: Retire “password123” forever. Invest in a password manager and make strong, unique passwords standard practice.

4. Partner with PreCog Security: Don’t wait for a breach to take action. PreCog specializes in realistic, budget-conscious solutions tailored to small business needs.

Key Takeaways: What Cybersecurity Teaches Us About Trust and Readiness

• Small doesn’t mean safe. Startups are attractive targets precisely because they’re often less protected.

• Cybersecurity can be affordable. Strong protection comes from consistent habits, not just big budgets.

• Security is UX. Protecting people’s data is as critical to trust as your product’s design.

• Simplicity scales. Tools like MFA and password managers provide powerful security without overwhelming your team.

• Partnership matters. Working with experts like PreCog helps you stay ahead of threats while you grow.

Call to Action

Want to learn more or connect with Alex Paunic? Visit PreCog Security online or find him on LinkedIn.

And if you’re ready to design safer, smarter digital experiences, check out Sunflower UX. We help startups align UX and security strategies from day one.

Subscribe to the Sunflower Squad Podcast, follow us on social, and share this post with someone who could use a cybersecurity glow-up. Let’s build safer systems together, one intentional decision at a time.