Meet our Premium Member Kris Kormany, COO of Mazelite

Please tell us about you and your role at Mazelite.

My name is Kris Kormany, Chief Operating Officer. As mazelite’s Chief Operating Officer (COO), my primary responsibility is to ensure rapid and efficient operations, with a specific focus on customer onboarding and managing our platform of cybersecurity solutions. Working closely with our CEO, Reimer Van Der Vlugt, we continuously enhance these solutions to provide the highest level of security against the most dangerous cyber threats. With Pascal Arnold, our Chief Marketing Officer (CMO), we translate our offerings to meet the needs of our customers and effectively market our startup with a clear message. 

What is Mazelite, could you tell us a little bit more about the company?

Mazelite offers intelligent solutions that effectively safeguard organizations against a wide range of cyber threats, including hacking, phishing, data loss, and more. 

Our adaptable cybersecurity platform mitigates these risks by providing state-of-the-art solutions that defend against hackers and ensure comprehensive protection against financial, legal, and reputational risks. In addition, we play a crucial role in enhancing cyber security awareness within companies, minimizing errors caused by lack of awareness, and maintaining overall organizational security. We empower our customers, granting them complete control over their data and ensuring the highest level of security and protection for their systems and sensitive information. Simply put, we enable business leaders to concentrate on their core operations, free from the concerns of cyber threats. 

We are currently a team of six people with strong expertise in cyber security, platform development, and consulting. 

In response to the Swiss business landscape, we launched our company in 2022, driven by the realization that many small and medium enterprises prioritize cybersecurity but face difficulties in finding suitable security support and solutions. 

Tell us more about your plans for 2023. What is your long-term vision?

Over the next 6 to 12 months, our primary focus will be assisting companies in aligning their cybersecurity measures with the newly implemented Swiss data protection laws, effective from September 1st of this year. Concurrently, we will persist in refining our existing five cybersecurity solutions, while also considering the potential addition of further solutions to our comprehensive cybersecurity protection portfolio. 

In the long term, we anticipate a significant rise in both the velocity and complexity of hacker attacks. This implies that a growing number of companies will be hacked. Given the rapid advancements in artificial intelligence and machine learning technologies, these attacks, as well as cybersecurity protection measures, will evolve quickly. We prioritize our customers’ security by continuously improving our ability to identify and implement the best solutions quickly and effectively. 

What has been the biggest success that you have achieved in your startup?

At Mazelite, our most significant accomplishment has been the development and implementation of a comprehensive platform designed to facilitate corporate-level compliance for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs).

Our platform is unique in its capacity to address both internal and external security challenges, providing robust and versatile solutions. Through our cyber security platform and reports, we’ve been able to create a bridge between SMEs and high-level compliance standards, allowing them to secure their business operations, meet regulatory requirements, and improve their overall security. 

This success reflects our team’s dedication, and it motivates us to continue innovating and providing value to our customers in the ever-evolving landscape of digital security and compliance. 

If you could do it all over again, what would you do differently? What are your biggest learnings?

Looking back, if there was one thing we would do differently, it would be to start earlier. The process has provided valuable insights, but starting earlier would have accelerated our journey and our impact.

What motivates you to continue your business every day?

Our team is motivated by the critical role we play in strengthening the security and regulatory compliance of small and medium-sized businesses. These businesses, which generate more than 90% of Switzerland’s gross national product, often experience persistent hacking attacks. Our mission is to help these companies by providing them with robust protection to safeguard their operations and effectively contribute to our national economy.

One piece of advice for someone just starting out with their startup?

Seek advice only from those who have walked in your shoes. And do not be blinded by success stories. For every super success story, there are hundreds of entrepreneurs who have failed. Understand what decisions they made that led to their failure. You will learn from both successes and setbacks.

What does being a member of the Swiss Startup Association mean to you?

We consider it a privilege to be part of this esteemed community. The insights shared by our fellow startup founders serve as a valuable source of inspiration and learning, reminding us that we are not alone in navigating the challenges that come our way. This community provides an excellent network where we can come together to celebrate successes and support one another during difficult moments. While we may have different business models, we share similar challenges, making this community an invaluable resource for collective growth and success.

Would you recommend joining the Swiss Startup Association? 

Yes. The network of founders is brilliant for genuine exchange among like-minded individuals.

Have you ever visited the events of the Swiss Startup Association?

Yes, I have visited two of the Founder’s Dinners and will visit again. Recommended! 

Is there anything that we haven’t asked you that you would like to share with us? As cyber security entrepreneurs, we continuously improve our solutions and business practices. We enjoy connecting with like-minded individuals to share knowledge, raise security awareness to help the community and celebrate successes together. Our recent accomplishment is the implementation of a cyber security assessment, providing any organization with an overview of its current cyber risks.

 

Find Kris on LinkedIn.