Simple, Automated Cybersecurity for Startups

As the digital landscape expands, so do the risks, especially for early-stage companies with limited resources. That’s why Pinky Tech, led by CEO Aliona Levca, has become a strategic partner of our Startup Community, working to make robust cybersecurity simple and accessible for startups and SMEs across Europe.

Pinky Cyber Safe

Pinky CyberSafe® offers SMEs an easy, affordable cybersecurity platform with website scanning, risk dashboards, and mitigation tools.
Early Adopters get 3 months free, 25% off the yearly plan, post-breach Clean&Fix, and VIP onboarding.

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An interview with Aliona Levca, Co-founder of Pinky-Tech

We are especially proud to welcome Aliona Levca not only as the CEO of Pinky Tech, but also as one of the Cascade Funding alumni. Seeing our alumni progress from early-stage founders to strategic partners within our ecosystem is central to our mission.

To understand what accessible, founder-friendly cybersecurity really means in practice, we sat down with Aliona for a candid conversation, she shares practical insights on security, resilience, and what it takes to protect (and scale) a business in today’s digital world.

Making Cybersecurity Accessible

Pinky Tech was founded with a clear vision: to protect small businesses from rising cyber threats through simple, automated, and affordable SaaS solutions. Aliona Levca, as co-founder and CEO, leads the vision, strategy, and growth of the company:

“We believe security should never be a barrier to growth. Startups deserve protection that’s as agile as they are,” shares Aliona.

Their flagship product, Pinky CyberSafe, offers vulnerability assessment, one-click protection, compliance automation, and employee training, all integrated into an intuitive platform tailored for non-experts.

Supporting Startups: Security as an Enabler, Not a Burden

The main focus at Pinky Tech is empowering digital startups to build trust and resilience from day one. Through the Pinky CyberSafe platform, founders can secure web platforms, meet compliance requirements (such as GDPR), and safeguard customer data, all with minimal technical know-how.

Pinky offers quick risk assessments, automated policy generation for audits and due diligence, and gamified training to boost internal security awareness.

“We’re not just a security tool, we’re a startup ally,” highlights Aliona.

Why Early Cybersecurity Matters

Many startups see cybersecurity as a luxury, but Aliona argues it’s the opposite:

“For SMEs, investing in cybersecurity early isn’t a luxury, it’s a survival strategy.”

A single breach can cost over $120,000, drain resources, disrupt operations, and destroy customer trust, often forcing closure within months. Early investment prevents catastrophic losses, protects intellectual property, and inspires confidence from investors and partners who increasingly require security proof.

In short: Secure early, scale safely.

Common Security Risks for Startups

Startups often focus on launching quickly, sometimes at the expense of security. Pinky Tech sees these risks most frequently:

Injection flaws (e.g., SQLi, XSS): Poor input validation lets attackers steal data or hijack sessions.
Weak authentication: Lack of strong passwords or MFA exposes admin panels.
Insecure APIs: Unprotected endpoints are easy entry points.
Outdated software: Old versions of WordPress, React, or Node.js are common targets.
Misconfigured cloud services: Publicly exposed databases and default credentials can lead to instant data leaks.
CSRF and insecure file uploads: Attackers can execute unwanted actions or upload malware.

“These technical issues can quickly become business risks: data breaches, ransomware, even reputational damage before you gain traction,” Aliona explains.

The good news? Most risks are easy to detect and mitigate early with automated scanning and secure defaults, exactly what Pinky CyberSafe delivers.

Security Tips for Non-Technical Founders

You don’t need to be an IT expert to dramatically improve your startup’s security posture. Aliona recommends:

Automated scanning: Tools like Pinky CyberSafe instantly flag vulnerabilities, no coding needed.
One-click protections: Activate a Web Application Firewall (WAF), enforce HTTPS, and use MFA on all admin accounts.
Keep software up to date: Get alerts for outdated plugins and frameworks.
Limit access: Assign admin rights only to essential team members.
Regular backups: Enable automated backups of your website and database.
Continuous team training: Gamified training (like Pinky Cyber Academy) teaches everyone to spot phishing and suspicious links.

“Start simple, stay proactive. The right tools can get you from vulnerable to protected in less than an hour,” says Aliona.

The Future: Adaptive, Intelligent Cybersecurity

What’s next for SME cybersecurity? Pinky Tech sees a shift from passive defense to active, adaptive protection, and Pinky CyberSafe is leading the way.

The team is pioneering honeypot technology in its platform, combining it with their Web Application Firewall for an intelligent security layer. Decoy endpoints lure attackers, enabling real-time analysis and automated firewall updates across the Pinky community.

“Every attack becomes an opportunity to learn and strengthen protection for everyone. For founders, this means your security gets smarter with zero extra effort,” Aliona explains.

Final Thoughts

As the digital world expands, every new app, API, or cloud service adds potential vulnerabilities. Pinky Tech champions “shift-left” security: integrating protection from the very start of every digital journey.

“We secure trust, innovation, and jobs. With smarter, automated cybersecurity, founders never have to choose between growing fast and staying safe. The future of digital must be safe for everyone,” concludes Aliona.