Anelia Kostadinova CEO of COMPUTER 2000 Bulgaria: Forbes Woman 2025

How would you define the concept of “strength” in the context of your female identity?

In the business world, “strength” is often associated with firmness, relentlessness, and dominance. But the hidden strength of the female identity lies in the ability to be both analytical and empathetic, to inspire others to follow us, to believe in us, and to trust us, because of our humanity, openness, and kindness. Femininity is a source of unique perspective, adaptability, refined sensitivity, and intuition.

When in your life have you felt the true power of will, and how did it change you?

Failures in business strengthen your will. There was a time when we worked exclusively with one cybersecurity solutions provider, McAfee,  and despite our continuously growing results, they decided to terminate our distribution agreement. It was illogical and unfair… That blow acted as a kind of doping for me and motivated me to channel my energy and rebuild the business from scratch. The will to follow my inner voice, my long-term vision, and persistence turned out to be stronger than uncertainty, fears, and doubts. It changed me forever, I learned that courage doesn’t mean the absence of fear, but the ability to act despite it. And when a female entrepreneur chooses to believe in herself, it unlocks not only her own strength but also inspires her team to do the same.

How does your passion for success manifest?

Success is not an end goal for me. What matters is the journey toward achieving it. My passion for work is my inner fire, not to prove to others how successful I am, but to bring my vision to life. My passion for success expresses itself in the desire to build, to develop, and to see how my ideas come to life in the business I lead. Without passion and dedication, there is no success! The very competition brings joy and excitement, and the fulfillment of being a successful entrepreneur, knowing that you’re doing something meaningful for yourself and others, this is incomparable.

Which specific project or initiative made you feel especially proud, and why?

I’m especially proud of organizing InfoSec SEE, the largest and — by expert consensus — the best cybersecurity conference in Southeast Europe. Through this event, we not only spread knowledge about cybersecurity solutions, but also create a community of leading experts, tech innovators, visionaries, and managers in the cybersecurity space. The event has earned a reputation as a key platform for discussions, strategic partnerships, and practical digital security solutions. This year, for the first time, the Commercial Service at U.S. Embassy Sofia became an official co-organizer and host of InfoSec SEE 2025, which was a tremendous recognition and support for us.

What is your vision for a world where every woman can realize her full potential?

For women across the world to be able to realize their potential, they need unrestricted access to education, funding, and technology. Countries and companies must actively remove discriminatory barriers for women. We live in a fast-evolving tech world, but humanity seems to lag behind in developing democratic values, rights, and freedoms — and in realizing how essential those values are. Women must assert their right to equality with men, because intellectually, they are equals.

What are the key success factors behind COMPUTER 2000 Bulgaria’s cybersecurity distribution in Bulgaria and Europe?

COMPUTER 2000 Bulgaria has a 30-year history. What was decisive for us was having a clear vision and development strategy focused on cybersecurity, the courage to evolve, and our adaptability to market needs. We shifted our business model — from an “all-in-one” distributor to a provider of cybersecurity solutions. In this industry, trust and expertise are everything. We’ve built an excellent reputation, which is evident in our growing partner network and expanding portfolio. More and more partners trust us and want us to represent them оn the regional market, because we are different and original. For us, business is an attitude, a way of life, a relentless pursuit of growth, innovation, and change.

What goals do you have for expanding your company’s activity and new services?

COMPUTER 2000 Bulgaria is a high-tech company that doesn’t just distribute solutions — we don’t just add а value, we create it through our services! As a distributor, our main role is to help our partners grow their business in the most successful way. In addition to our current portfolio of technical services and consulting, we are now adding marketing services and partner trainings. The focus on our partners’ results is what drives our “services-first” philosophy.

How would you assess the level of awareness and preparedness of businesses in Bulgaria regarding cybersecurity?

Unfortunately, the level of awareness, and especially preparedness of businesses in Bulgaria regarding cybersecurity remains low, especially among small and medium enterprises. Despite growing threats and regulatory requirements, many companies still fail to take adequate measures to protect their information systems. Many Bulgarian businesses don’t fully understand the risks posed by cyber threats and often underestimate the need to invest in cybersecurity. The lack of trained professionals and low digital literacy among employees increases companies’ vulnerability to cyberattacks.

What are the biggest cybersecurity threats and how can companies protect themselves?

According to independent analysts, the top 5 cybersecurity threats in 2024 are:

1. AI-powered attacks — a battle between defensive and offensive AI.
2. Ransomware with double and triple extortion — targeting not only systems but also stealing data used for blackmail or resale.
3. Cloud and SaaS vulnerabilities — because more data moves to the cloud, poor configurations, lack of Zero Trust policies, and weak authentication are common.
4. Supply chain attacks — weak third-party links (vendors, software, partners) are entry points into corporate networks.
5. Attacks on critical infrastructure — manufacturing, energy, transport sectors are key targets for APT groups sponsored by states like China, Russia, North Korea, and Iran.

Businesses must treat cybersecurity as a business issue, not just as IT problems. Companies that integrate cyber risk into their corporate strategy will survive and thrive.

What advice would you give to young professionals looking to start a career in cybersecurity?

The cybersecurity solutions industry is one of the most promising fields, offering immense career opportunities for young talents. Solid technical knowledge is a must — it forms the foundation for understanding vulnerabilities and how to defend systems. Recently, there’s been a trend toward earning individual certifications, but practical skills are even more important. Internships and part-time jobs in the industry parallel with the early years of the university education are highly recommended. Specialization in a specific cybersecurity domain — such as threat analysis, incident response, or risk management — is valuable. Most importantly, one must develop critical thinking and problem-solving abilities. The field demands high levels of analysis, adaptability, situational awareness, and creativity.

What are your predictions for the future of the cybersecurity industry?

The future of the cybersecurity industry will be dynamic and challenging, shaped by rapid technological progress, escalating threats, and global regulations. Key trends will include:

• The use of artificial intelligence in both threats and defenses
• The Zero Trust model is becoming the standard cybersecurity approach
• Preparations for post-quantum cryptography, with standardized post-quantum algorithms becoming critical for future data protection
• Stronger regulations and global coordination
• Massive growth in investment and market expansion, with projections estimating the cybersecurity market to grow from $215 billion in 2025 to over $697 billion by 2035, driven by increasing threats and the demand for modern security solutions.