- Journey and Vision: What inspired the creation of Sequretek, and how has its mission evolved over the years?
In the cybersecurity world, there’s a noticeable gap where the top 10% of companies enjoy access to comprehensive, cutting-edge solutions. In contrast, many others are left grappling with limited resources and expertise. This industry often prioritizes the elite, causing countless organizations to navigate a confusing maze of over 90 technology categories and thousands of vendors, which leads to fragmented and complicated security decisions. At Sequretek, we saw a chance to change this narrative. When we founded the company in 2013, our mission was clear: to simplify cybersecurity and make it accessible to everyone, not just those who can afford it. We’ve stayed true to our calling 11 years on.
We imagined a reality where businesses could concentrate on their growth without worrying about cyberthreats hindering their progress. The most effective risk mitigation strategies employ a combination of boundary protection and agile defenses depending on the threat’s characteristics. Consequently, we anchored our platform, products, and services in the Percept continuous threat exposure management (CTEM) framework. It presents a dual protection strategy via defense-in-depth and defense-in-breadth.
Combining AI-driven automation with a holistic approach, we’ve empowered our clients to turn cybersecurity into a growth enabler, not a roadblock.
- Growth Trajectory: With a 50% CAGR, what have been the driving factors behind Sequretek’s remarkable growth?
Sequretek’s remarkable growth trajectory can be attributed to a combination of people, processes, and technology. Our articulated vision and mission have laid a strong foundation, successfully drawing in enthusiastic investors and fostering productive connections with go-to-market influencers and strategic partners. This comprehensive strategy has been pivotal in facilitating our global expansion. By developing leading-edge solutions and building strong relationships with key analysts, we have firmly established thought leadership within the cybersecurity domain. Our dedication to a comprehensive perspective ensures we remain at the forefront of industry trends. Instead of merely deploying resources, we adopt a holistic approach, investing significantly in world-class products that resonate globally. A focused commitment to optimizing sales processes and maintaining operational excellence underscores our continued success. I would say that Sequretek’s growth is a testament to strategic foresight and execution.
- Product Focus: Can you elaborate on the unique features of the Percept Cloud Security Platform (PCSP) and its impact on enterprise security?
Sequretek’s Percept suite, built on the Percept continuous threat exposure management (CTEM) framework, simplifies security by leveraging people, processes, and technology. We provide AI-powered, cloud-native, simple-to-use solutions with comprehensive visibility and threat management in a single console. Our offerings—Percept XDR & NG SIEM, Identity, EDR, and Compliance Manager—integrate Generative AI and AI-ML, showcasing unique features that set them apart in the industry.
The Percept CTEM platform distinguishes itself in enterprise security by embracing a nuanced application of AI technologies. Our solutions go beyond the horses-for-courses or the common “one-size-fits-all” method for AI integration by using a customized set of techniques. We incorporate machine learning, deep learning, and generative AI, each carefully chosen for specific functions in threat management.
This adaptability allows for precise parsing, effective threat detection, and prompt response mechanisms. Unlike generic AI solutions, the Percept CTEM framework uses diverse AI capabilities—such as specialized recurrent neural networks—for specific use cases, thereby enhancing efficacy in automated response and ML-based searches. Consequently, enterprises benefit from a more robust, context-aware security posture, addressing an evolving threat landscape with strategic precision and intelligence.
- AI Integration: How does AI enhance the efficiency and accuracy of your cybersecurity solutions?
Artificial Intelligence (AI) has been transformative for Sequretek, particularly in elevating the efficacy and precision of our cybersecurity solutions. Our AI-powered Percept solutions go beyond merely detecting threats; they proactively anticipate them, reshaping the threat prediction and response landscape. AI quickly analyzes extensive datasets to facilitate real-time threat detection, allowing for rapid responses and lessening the need for human analysts for routine tasks.
Our AI evolves to tackle emerging cyber threats, becoming more skilled at identifying patterns and anomalies that signal potential security breaches. One notable advantage is its seamless integration with multiple security tools, fostering a robust and unified security posture. This integration expedites incident response, minimizes downtime, and strengthens overall defenses.
AI enhances reporting and analytics, offering insights into threat trends that guide strategic decisions. It also supports compliance by maintaining accurate logs and monitoring activity in alignment with industry regulations. Through AI, we enhance threat monitoring, response efficiency, and compliance, establishing a resilient cybersecurity framework.
- HTAP & Security: How do you balance robust security measures while ensuring high-performance hybrid transactional and analytical capabilities?
Balancing robust security measures with high-performance hybrid transactional and analytical capabilities is crucial in today’s digital landscape. Our platform efficiently ingests 10 PB of data daily, demonstrating exceptional capabilities for both transactions and analytics. Our AI technology plays a pivotal role by identifying behaviors and patterns across the network, allowing for proactive threat mitigation.
To address the increasing complexity of security data, we implement AI-based monitoring tools that oversee the IT environment comprehensively, without placing agents on individual devices. This ensures that device performance is not compromised. Our AI algorithms dynamically recognize new attack vectors, providing seamless adaptation to emerging threats in real time.
By maintaining advanced, agentless architecture, we uphold stringent security standards without sacrificing system efficiency, securing transaction and analytics operations. Through innovative technology, we achieve exceptional visibility and protection, ensuring top-tier performance across the board.
- Global Presence: What are the challenges and opportunities of expanding into markets like North America, Europe, and Southeast Asia?
Expanding into markets such as North America, Europe, and Southeast Asia is a mixed bag of challenges and exciting opportunities. The biggest test is building brand awareness because we compete against established industry leaders with a strong presence. We need to set our products apart and establish a firm foothold. Another issue is the lack of skilled cybersecurity professionals. To overcome this, we’ve partnered with universities in North America to create cybersecurity courses and programs, nurturing a talent pool that’s ready for the future.
On the opportunity side, stringent regulations like GDPR and SEC incident reporting underscore the demand for robust cybersecurity solutions, positioning us to assist businesses in achieving compliance. Increasing cyberattacks, especially in healthcare and manufacturing, further highlight the need for our services. Moreover, mergers within the industry can diminish trust in newly formed entities, offering us a chance to stand out as a stable alternative by forming strategic alliances and leveraging local expertise. While the journey is challenging, the potential rewards are significant.
- Client Segments: What industries have been the most receptive to your services, and why?
Our services have historically attracted the Banking, Financial Services, and Insurance (BFSI) sector due to their stringent regulatory environment demanding top-tier cybersecurity solutions. This sector prioritizes data protection and compliance over just potential financial losses, requiring nuanced strategies to meet complex regulations effectively. Recently, the healthcare, pharmaceutical, and manufacturing industries have also demonstrated substantial receptiveness. These sectors face increasing cyberthreats targeting legacy systems, urging them to enhance their cybersecurity defenses. In healthcare and pharmaceuticals, safeguarding patient data and intellectual property is paramount, while manufacturing focuses on protecting operational technology. As these industries continue to confront evolving cybersecurity demands, their adoption of our solutions illustrates the critical role our services play in addressing today’s sophisticated cyber challenges and regulatory landscapes.
- Partnerships: How have strategic partnerships, such as with MSCBA, shaped your growth and offerings?
Strategic partnerships have been a cornerstone in shaping the growth and offerings at Sequretek, with our collaboration with MSCBA being a standout example. By training MSCBA banks in their vernacular language, we’ve not only respected and celebrated cultural nuances but also ensured effective knowledge transfer. These partnerships have been crucial in building trust with customers, as they involve intensive evaluations and proofs-of-concept (POCs). This thorough vetting process empowers partners to confidently introduce Sequretek to their member organizations, knowing they are promoting reliable and adaptable solutions.
Through collaborations like these, we’ve gained invaluable insights into the core challenges faced by different sectors and geographies. This has enabled us to develop tailored go-to-market strategies that address unique challenges and bridge existing gaps, delivering robust solutions that truly meet our clients’ needs.
- Market Competition: How does Sequretek distinguish itself in a crowded cybersecurity market?
Navigating the cybersecurity landscape can be daunting, with an overwhelming number of products and platforms to choose from. This is where Sequretek makes a significant impact. We stand out by simplifying security for businesses. We aim to empower leaders to expand their companies fearlessly, safeguarding digital assets and meeting regulatory demands. We leverage people, processes, and technology into streamlined solutions. Rather than forcing customers to piece together various solutions, Sequretek consolidates a multitude of capabilities into fewer, more comprehensive platforms. Our focus is on offering complete outcomes, so businesses aren’t left figuring out which products to buy and who to manage them. This clear, streamlined approach is our standout feature in the cybersecurity market.
Our cutting-edge Percept suite, enhanced by AI and ML, helps detect and manage threats efficiently. It provides a unified view of security operations, tailored for easy management and flexibility within existing tech setups. Our solutions are further enriched by research from Sequretek Research Labs, ensuring our clients are always equipped with the latest threat intelligence.
Our customers know they don’t just purchase a platform or a product—they gain a trusted partner in cybersecurity. In the event of an attack, they know exactly who to call: Sequretek. And they know they can count on us. We pride ourselves on eliminating the headache of cybersecurity management, providing top-notch protection seamlessly integrated into existing systems. Whether it’s preemptive measures or rapid response, we are there every step of the way, ensuring businesses can thrive without fear.
- Future Trends: What emerging threats or trends in cybersecurity are you preparing for in the next 3-5 years?
As technology becomes a cornerstone of our operational frameworks, the cybersecurity landscape is evolving with alarming rapidity. There are three critical areas that we are vigilantly preparing for over the next few years. Firstly, Operational Technology (OT) security has escalated into a significant concern. As OT systems merge with IT networks, creating greater cyber-physical interfaces, they present new vulnerabilities that must be effectively managed.
Secondly, as Small and Medium-sized Businesses (SMBs) progress with their digital transformations, it’s essential to offer cybersecurity solutions that are accessible, affordable, and reliable. These businesses are especially vulnerable to breaches because of their constantly changing infrastructures.
Finally, the ever-changing regulatory requirements require our focus. We must assist clients in not only staying updated with evolving security codes but also achieving compliance. As data privacy and cybersecurity regulations become stricter, our role in supporting compliance and ensuring strong security measures is vital.
- Funding and Growth:
- Investor Confidence: How has your recent $8M Series A funding influenced your roadmap and expansion plans?
You are known by the company you keep! We are proud to have some amazing investors as part of our journey, whose involvement enhances our reputation and strategic capabilities. Securing $8M in Series A funding has been transformative for our company, allowing us to refine our roadmap and fast-track our expansion plans. A key focus over the coming years is increasing our market presence in North America. Although we have already established a foundation with several clients, success will hinge on enhancing our partnerships, alongside bolstering our sales and marketing initiatives. By integrating direct sales efforts with an expansive network of partners and resellers, we plan to achieve efficient global expansion.
- Scaling Up: What strategies are in place to sustain your high growth rate and global ambitions?
Sustaining high growth while nurturing global ambitions involves a strategic blend of direct and indirect sales efforts. Our direct sales teams, leveraging cold calling and digital marketing, effectively generate quality leads and establish strong customer connections. In regions like Africa, Europe, and the Middle East, our partners and resellers bridge physical presence gaps. The Sequretek Partner Program (SPP) empowers Managed Service Providers (MSPs), Managed Security Service Providers (MSSPs), and Value-Added Partners (VARs) globally with industry-leading cloud-native security solutions.
This year, we plan to enhance our direct sales and expand our indirect channel network. Our diversified portfolio facilitates cross-selling and upselling, while geographical expansion, particularly with our North American team, is crucial in achieving our global aspirations.
- Community Outreach: Are there any initiatives by Sequretek aimed at educating businesses or individuals about cybersecurity?
Sequretek is dedicated to fostering a digitally secure society through a series of educational and outreach initiatives designed to enhance cybersecurity literacy. A cornerstone of our efforts is offering free threat advisories, enabling both businesses and individuals to remain informed about emerging risks. Our SeQure News Byte further supplements this by delivering monthly summaries that distill critical cybersecurity news and trends.
We are actively involved in raising citizen awareness through various outreach programs, frequently engaging in public forums and media discussions to highlight pressing cybersecurity concerns, albeit not serving the direct consumer market. Our pro bono masterclasses serve as an educational platform, equipping participants with the knowledge to navigate cybersecurity challenges effectively.
We place a strong emphasis on workforce development by collaborating with educational institutions. In India, we have partnered with organizations such as the ICT Academy of Kerala and Government-supported academies. In the US, we work with institutions like the Arkansas Center for Data Sciences and the Little Rock Chamber of Commerce. These partnerships focus on shaping cybersecurity curricula and career paths for students. About 40% of our workforce is made up of freshers, highlighting our dedication to upskilling. Furthermore, our commitment to nurturing talent extends to scouting Tier 2 and Tier 3 cities contributes significantly to creating a cyberaware workforce. These initiatives testify to our goal of advancing global cybersecurity awareness and capabilities.
- Innovation Goals: What technological advancements can we expect from Sequretek in the near future?
Innovation is at the heart of everything Sequretek does, and you can expect some exciting advancements from us soon. We are poised to enhance our existing product suite with integrations that cater to an increasingly connected world. By incorporating more IoT technologies, we aim to secure even the most novel devices. Furthermore, improvements in AI algorithms are on the horizon, designed to adapt and respond to the rapidly changing threat landscape. Attack surface monitoring, combined with our Percept XDR & NG SIEM platform, provides a comprehensive shield against cyberthreats. It promises a seamless experience where early detection meets robust response, safeguarding users against potential vulnerabilities.
We are also keen on supporting businesses worldwide with solutions tailored for regulatory compliance. By understanding diverse geographic requirements, we will offer curated offerings that keep companies aligned with local laws. Our commitment to simplifying security ensures that our customers stay ahead.
- Market Evolution: How do you see the cybersecurity landscape changing, and what role will Sequretek play in this transformation?
As the cybersecurity landscape evolves rapidly, AI’s transformative power plays a crucial role. While AI revolutionizes threat detection and response, it simultaneously provides cybercriminals with sophisticated tools, heightening attack complexities. Sequretek is poised to address these challenges, standing at the forefront of this transformation. By enriching our product suite with IoT integrations, we aim to secure new devices, while enhancements in AI algorithms will ensure adaptability to the evolving threat landscape. Our Percept XDR & NG SIEM platform offers comprehensive attack surface monitoring, merging early detection with robust response. With a focus on ethical AI and overcoming challenges like algorithmic bias, Sequretek is committed to leading cybersecurity advancements in today’s digital era.
