LITTLE ROCK, Ark. (Feb. 3, 2023) – Global cybersecurity provider Sequretek announced Friday its growth plans for its U.S. headquarters in Little Rock and a formal partnership with the Arkansas Center for Data Sciences (ACDS).
The announcement was made in front of a crowd of business and community leaders at The Venture Center, located inside the Little Rock Technology Park.
Sequretek co-founder and chief executive officer Anand Naik shared the company’s intent to hire approximately 50 people over the next three years. Naik outlined the company’s partnership with the Arkansas Center for Data Sciences to provide a talent pipeline to fill the positions.
As Sequretek launched in Little Rock, ACDS worked with the company to formally establish a registered apprenticeship program as its hiring strategy. ACDS, through its Talent Management Process, helped Sequretek hire seven new apprentices – five for the security operations center and two data analysts – and will continue this strategy for the remaining positions.
“Sequretek has seen tremendous growth as a result of our investments in Arkansas. We are excited to continue partnering with the State of Arkansas, the Little Rock Regional Chamber of Commerce and the Arkansas Center for Data Sciences,” said Anand Naik, Sequretek co-founder and chief executive officer. “Cybersecurity workforce development in Little Rock is the foundation for Sequretek’s growth in the U.S. The partnership with ACDS will allow us to jointly develop and nurture the right talent as we continue to augment our team here.”
In August of 2022, the company announced the opening of their United States headquarters in the Little Rock Technology Park citing the innovative technology focus, talent access and growth-friendly business environment as top reasons for naming Little Rock, Arkansas its new corporate home. Sequretek’s leaders first visited Arkansas to participate in the award-winning FIS Fintech Accelerator produced by The Venture Center in 2020.
“Little Rock is known as the birthplace of FinTech and is seen today as an international destination for innovation in financial technologies,” said Jay Chesshir, president and chief executive officer of the Little Rock Regional Chamber. “Facilitating partnerships between organizations like Sequretek and the Arkansas Center for Data Sciences will ensure we continue to provide a sustainable talent pipeline for future growth.”
Sequretek and the Arkansas Center for Data Sciences are working closely to ensure the apprentices receive customized training. ACDS will handle the project management and USDOL reporting requirements for Sequretek. This success magnifies Sequretek's growth and establishes a well-developed workforce pipeline with the Arkansas Center for Data Sciences.
"The team at ACDS is excited to partner with the Little Rock Regional Chamber and The Venture Center in helping Sequretek grow their IT workforce in Central Arkansas by finding and training qualified Arkansans," said Bill Yoder, ACDS Executive Director. "We're proud to support Sequretek in their mission of empowering businesses to grow - securely."
To learn more about Sequretek and available positions, visit https://sequretek.com/.