Ovidiu Bernaschi, InoviTeC

Studying in Ireland must have been a transformative experience - what drew you there, and how did it shape your path?

The experience was indeed transformative. It broadened my perspective, enhanced my technical skills, and laid the foundation for my career in management consulting and cybersecurity. Studying at Dublin City University exposed me to an international mindset that balances technology with ethics and public trust - values I have tried to reflect both in my company, InoviTeC, and in my work with international cybersecurity professionals. I arrived there somewhat unexpectedly but stayed because I wanted to become the specialist I am today.

Your time in the military surely brought unique lessons. How has that background influenced your professional life?

While the military taught me discipline, risk-based decision-making, and the importance of layered defense (principles that translate directly into cybersecurity), the most important lesson was to genuinely care about my team and the people I work with. It also shaped my leadership style: calm under pressure, decisive, but always strategic. These skills are critical both in crisis response and long-term digital planning. I am currently a communications and cyberdefense officer in the Romanian reserve corps.

Founding InoviTeC sounds like a bold move - tell us about the vision behind it.

InoviTeC was born from a mission to help entrepreneurs and CXOs adapt to an increasingly digital and regulated world. Our goal is to make cybersecurity, cloud solutions, and compliance not just accessible, but strategic assets. We are not merely technology providers; we are transformation partners. The vision behind InoviTeC was to create a specialized entity that leverages cutting-edge technology to solve real-world problems. 

When starting a digital transformation project, you must have a go-to approach. What's the first thing you look at?

I begin by analysing needs in the initial conversation with the client’s representative, documenting the organization’s current state and strategic goals. I follow up by formally mapping pain points, operational bottlenecks, and regulatory obligations. Digital transformation is not just about technology - it is about aligning tools with people, purpose, and process (the "3 Ps"). Understanding gaps and opportunities helps create “The Swan Path” - a tailored roadmap aligning business objectives with digital strategy to ensure a smooth transition.

The NIS Directive has changed the landscape for cybersecurity - how has it affected the way organizations think and act?

The NIS Directive (especially NIS2) has significantly raised awareness of cybersecurity risks and compliance requirements. It has pushed organizations to adopt more robust security measures and foster a culture of continuous improvement in cybersecurity. Organizations now understand that cybersecurity is not just an IT concern but a governance issue. The shift is clear: from reactive patching to proactive resilience, from technical silos to board-level accountability. NIS2 has made CXOs truly care about cybersecurity; it is no longer just for IT geeks.

As president of Cloudimpuls, you’re involved in some innovative work - what’s something you're excited about right now?

I am currently most excited about relocating our headquarters within the University of Petroșani premises and handing over the cluster’s leadership to the university’s academic staff. I am confident this is the right choice for developing Cloudimpuls into a Triple Helix innovation cluster and for building a bridge for secure, scalable growth between the public, economic, and research sectors.

Digital transformation is evolving rapidly. Where do you see it heading in the near future, especially in Romania?

In the near future, digital transformation will become integrated into every aspect of business operations and will improve quality of life through almost instant access to valuable information. In Romania, increased adoption of AI, IoT, and cloud technologies will drive innovation and economic growth. Romania has enormous potential to leapfrog technologically - especially in cybersecurity, medtech, and e-government. Within our lifetime, AI-driven automation, once science fiction, will become reality. The challenge is not technology, it is execution and trust.

Teaching future cybersecurity experts must be rewarding - what part of that role energizes you the most?

What energizes me most is when a student connects theory to real-world impact in a way I had not considered. Based on that idea, we then develop a projected worst-case scenario where we analyze variables and failure probabilities, ultimately designing solutions for risk mitigation. Mentoring the next generation of specialists, analysts, and CISOs is one of the most meaningful parts of my work, and I truly enjoy it.

Connecting theory to practice isn’t always easy - how do you help students make that leap in your course?

I split students into teams representing critical infrastructure entities from the NIS2 Directive. I use real-world case studies, hands-on projects, and guest lectures from industry experts to help students bridge the gap between theory and practice. I integrate live cyber threat intelligence platforms, incident response simulations, and real compliance scenarios into every course. Whether dissecting an APT campaign or building a risk register, I want students to experience not just what security means, but how it feels in the field. This approach ensures they are well-prepared to tackle cybersecurity challenges in their careers. 

Being on the IT&C journal’s editorial board gives you a front-row seat to industry trends - how do you decide what deserves attention?

Although I have a supporting role, I contribute articles focusing on topics that provide actionable insights and foster constructive discussion among professionals. Our editorial team prioritizes trends shaping behavior over mere headlines. Topics like AI explainability, quantum-safe encryption, and regulatory convergence deserve more attention than hype cycles.

You’ve also been a volunteer with SMURD. What drew you to that kind of service, and what has it taught you?

As a fast motorcycle rider, I was drawn to volunteering with ISUHD and SMURD by a desire to gain professional knowledge on how to save a life, including my own, in the event of a road accident. Service with SMURD grounded me in the reality that life matters and that the real currency on earth is TIME. Beyond the obvious, it taught me that whether stabilizing a patient or mitigating a cyber breach, the core is the same: readiness, calm under stress, and trust in the people in your team.

Your hobbies are amazing—motorcycling, diving, even parachuting! How do these passions help you recharge or inspire you in your work?

Adventure sports have taught me much about calculated risk and mental clarity—and, perhaps counterintuitively, how to love life and truly appreciate being alive. Regardless of the activity, if it is dangerous, I disconnect from society’s noise and reconnect with the essence of life. This clears my head and reminds me that control is not always about force—it is about flow.

Is there one adventure that stands out in your memory, something that changed your perspective or taught you a valuable lesson?

One adventure that stands out is my "last swim" in the Atlantic Ocean during a holiday in the Canary Islands. I ignored the red flag warning on the beach and jumped into the waves for one last swim before returning home. I did not realize only surfers were in the ocean due to a tide out and waves over 3m high - ideal for surfing but dangerous for swimming. Pulled far from shore by the current and away from the surfers, overcoming fear and surviving that day has stayed with me and influenced my approach to challenges in both personal and professional life.

To share what I have learned from my adventures, I wrote an article on my blog named The Test of Goodness:

• https://ovidiubernaschi.wordpress.com/2020/02/10/the-test-of-goodness/