3468 From Upwork to Acquisition: How Eden Data Turned Cybersecurity into a Growth Engine

What if your cybersecurity strategy could become your biggest sales advantage? In this episode, I sit down with Taylor Hersom, Founder and CEO of Eden Data, to explore how startups can transform compliance from a box-ticking exercise into a true growth engine. Taylor's journey is remarkable: a former Deloitte executive who quit his job the week before the world shut down, launched Eden Data on Upwork with just $16, and went on to build one of the fastest-growing cybersecurity advisory firms, now recently acquired by Riveron. His story blends grit, reinvention, and a deep understanding of how trust has become the real currency of modern business.

We talk about how to safeguard customer data in an AI-first world and why shadow AI has become the new shadow IT problem for many companies. Taylor explains why cybersecurity can no longer sit in the IT department alone, sharing examples of how marketing and customer experience leaders are now leveraging security as a differentiator to win contracts and customer loyalty. He also opens up about the human side of cyber risk, why most breaches stem from simple mistakes, and how gamifying awareness training can be more effective than annual compliance videos no one remembers.

As AI rapidly reshapes the digital landscape, Taylor shares his perspective on what future global standards for AI security could look like and how leaders can bake compliance and security into their products from day one. His view is clear: the next generation of successful startups will treat cybersecurity as both a foundation and a brand promise. How ready are you to make trust part of your growth strategy? And how will your business adapt as cybersecurity becomes not just a requirement, but a competitive edge? Share your thoughts after listening.