Skill # 2
Introduction
Entrepreneurship is not only about starting a business. It is about identifying problems, thinking creatively, and developing solutions that add value. In cybersecurity and in many other fields, the entrepreneurial mindset is essential for staying ahead of challenges and creating opportunities.
Through my coursework in CPD 494 Entrepreneurship in Cybersecurity at Old Dominion University, I learned how to apply design thinking, assess opportunities, and transform ideas into viable solutions. The artifacts on this page demonstrate my ability to approach challenges with innovation, evaluate risks, and develop strategies that could work in real-world settings.
Artifact 1: Design Thinking Discussion Post
Description:
In this discussion, I explored how design thinking can be applied to solve complex problems in cybersecurity. I explained the five stages of design thinking (empathize, define, ideate, prototype, and test) and gave an example of how these steps could be used to create a phishing-awareness tool for small businesses.
Reflection:
This artifact shows my understanding of a structured approach to innovation. By focusing on empathy and user needs, I learned how solutions become more effective and more likely to be adopted. This way of thinking is useful not only in starting a business but also in improving security tools and processes inside any organization.
My discussion post:
Design thinking is basically solving problems by focusing on people first. Not just fixing stuff, but actually thinking about how someone feels dealing with it. That’s why empathy matters. You can’t really help someone if you don’t understand what they’re going through. I think that’s where it’s different from the regular way of solving problems, where it’s more step-by-step and logical. The entrepreneurial process is kind of the same, if you don’t understand who you’re helping, it’s hard to build something useful. I think creativity is huge when it comes to finding new ideas. You have to think differently to notice opportunities most people miss. I don’t know if I’d call myself super innovative, but I try to be. I like messing around with ideas, especially with tech. And with how fast things are changing, I think being creative and flexible is a big deal now.
Artifact 2: Opportunity Identification Discussion
Description:
For this discussion, I analyzed a gap in the cybersecurity market: affordable vulnerability scanning tools for small nonprofits. I proposed a business idea to offer subscription-based scanning and reporting, with built-in training modules for staff.
Reflection:
This exercise developed my ability to spot unmet needs and evaluate whether they are worth pursuing. I also learned to think about potential customers, delivery methods, and ways to differentiate a service from competitors. These skills are directly applicable in product development and in making security services more accessible.
My discussion post:
To me, creativity and innovation are probably the most important parts of coming up with business ideas. If you’re not thinking in new ways, you’re probably just repeating something that already exists. One thing I’ve noticed is that when people first try to come up with ideas, they get stuck because they’re afraid the idea won’t work or that it’s already been done. I think the way around that is just starting somewhere, even if the idea isn’t perfect. Brainstorming works best when you’re not overthinking. Just write down everything, even if it sounds dumb at first. Understanding what customers actually need is a huge deal too—like, you can’t just build something because you think it’s cool. And tech obviously changes the game. With all the new tools and platforms, there’s way more room now to create something that solves problems in different ways than before.
Artifact 3: Self-Evaluation of Growth
Description:
At the end of the course, I wrote a self-evaluation that summarized my learning, personal growth, and readiness to apply entrepreneurial skills in my field. I reflected on my improved problem-solving abilities, confidence in pitching ideas, and greater understanding of how to integrate ethics into business decisions.
Reflection:
This artifact ties the entire entrepreneurship learning journey together. It shows how my mindset shifted from simply thinking about technical solutions to thinking about value, impact, and sustainability. These lessons will help me innovate responsibly and create solutions that last.
Excerpt from Self-Evaluation of Growth
When I started this course, my understanding of entrepreneurship was limited to the idea of starting and running a business. I thought it was mainly about having a good product and finding people to buy it. Over the term, my perspective has changed completely. I now understand that entrepreneurship is a mindset — one that involves problem-solving, creative thinking, adaptability, and a willingness to take calculated risks. The lessons on design thinking and opportunity identification showed me how innovation can be applied in any field, including cybersecurity, to create value and solve real problems.
One of the biggest challenges I faced during the course was moving beyond purely technical thinking. As a cybersecurity student, I am used to focusing on technical details and security measures. In this class, I had to think about customer needs, market trends, and how to present ideas in a way that connects with people who are not technical experts. Working on assignments like the opportunity identification project forced me to step into the perspective of an entrepreneur, not just an engineer. This shift in thinking has made me more versatile and confident in tackling problems from multiple angles.
Looking ahead, I want to continue building on the skills I developed here. My goal is to strengthen my strategic planning and communication skills so I can take innovative cybersecurity solutions from idea to implementation. I plan to do this by seeking internships and projects where I can combine my technical expertise with entrepreneurial thinking. This course has shown me that the ability to innovate is just as important as the ability to secure systems, and I intend to carry that lesson forward into my career.
Closing Reflection
Entrepreneurial Thinking & Innovation is a skill that can be applied to almost any challenge. It pushes you to see opportunities where others see problems and to design solutions that meet real needs. In cybersecurity, this mindset is critical for creating proactive defenses, building better tools, and staying ahead of attackers.
The three artifacts on this page show my ability to think creatively, validate ideas, and reflect on growth. They show that I can approach challenges with both a technical and an innovative perspective, a combination that is valuable in any professional setting.