László György Dellei, Founder and CEO of Kerubiel LTD, Speaks to The Silicon Review: ‘We Tend to Find Solutions with the Highest Cost-Effectiveness Ratio, Further Easing Financial Pressure on the Customer’

“We assist customers on how to develop, manage, and revise their data governance system to comply with the relevant laws and industry standards, such as the General Data Protection Regulation.”

Kerubiel LTD, an IT security consultancy, proffers tailored IT, security, cybersecurity, and privacy services globally. It is one of the pioneering security companies in the world.

Kerubiel is based in Budapest, Hungary.

Interview Excerpt: László György Dellei

Q. What inspired you to start Kerubiel LTD? Was there any prior experience that led to the establishment of the company?

The last decade brought information security and data protection issues to the limelight. In the era of data-driven society and economy, effective, lawful, and secure management of information is a crucial element for companies. New opportunities—as well as new kinds of threats—had arisen as new technologies flooded the market and our everyday lives. As these issues became the more important standard-setting and legislative measures set into motion at a rapid pace. For instance, the new European regime for data protection focuses on the so-called risk-based approach and the importance of integrity and confidentiality of personal data. Compliance with the global and/or regional standards and regulations may be time-consuming and resource-intensive and needs substantive knowledge of several fields.

With a professional experience of two decades, I founded Kerubiel LTD with the special mission to merge the increasingly connected expertise from the fields of IT, information security, and data protection, to bring together likeminded professionals, experts, and visionaries to provide complex, rapid and compliant solutions for a wide variety of customers. Since its establishment in 2017, the company has assisted an ever-growing clientele ranging from SMEs to national and multinational corporations in health, government, financial and insurance, and IT sectors.

Q. Your consultants and engineers have an impressive background and many years of proven project experience gained in domestic and international projects. Could you describe your typical management style and the type of employee that works well with you?

Kerubiel’s team consists of experts of IT and cybersecurity, data protection and legal services, and researchers from the fields of AI and other emerging technologies. There are young and talented professionals and people with more than 15-20 years of experience in software development and cyber intelligence. Managing such a diverse and highly professional group may sometimes be challenging since there is healthy competition between employees. But suppose one finds the most effective way to ensure cooperation, a forum to exchange ideas, and an overall goal to inspire others. In that case, work becomes passion resulting in the most optimal solutions.

I believe in the principle of leadership by example. Thus, I am frequently seeking new challenges and opportunities to widen my professional expertise and knowledge in key areas. All experts are strongly encouraged to do so as well. Furthermore, Kerubiel allows new ideas to be tested and utilized in everyday operations. Therefore, all professionals may suggest new applications or innovative solutions, thus becoming elemental in the company’s success and improvement.

Q. Kerubiel is a 100 percent privately-owned company specializing in the provision of ICT and information security and privacy services. How uniquely do you address your customers’ pain points per this?

In the last couple of years, the consulting market has become very crowded, competitive, and—unfortunately, in some cases—very negligent. There are many stories on the market that this or that customer paid an enormous amount of money for data protection or information security compliance but received nothing more than a matrix of vulnerabilities or deficiencies. Kerubiel, on the other hand, believes that our services and solutions are as effective as our relationship and communication with the customer.

The company and its professionals tend to guide the customer through the project, carrying out the services based on mutual cooperation, assistance, and understanding. Thus, at the beginning of each project, the company’s experts set the goals in collaboration with the customer, considering their needs and expectations. Our experts regularly refer to the customer throughout the project and establish a vivid and fruitful conversation with all relevant departments or units. These connections help us gain the knowledge pertinent to counsel on, assist with or develop necessary documents, tools, and governance systems. The result is not solely a report but a useful tool or solution that may be implemented into everyday activities. For instance, in the field of information security, we only use and suggest tools that we have already tested and applied on our own. In this regard, we tend to find solutions with the highest cost-effectiveness ratio, further easing financial pressure on the customer.

When needed, Kerubiel also carries out check-ups and post-project supervision to ensure that the solution stays relevant in time. This also establishes a valuable connection between the company and its customers that may be further fruitful in terms of cooperation.

Delineate a short overview of the services your company offer.

Kerubiel has various services to offer, ranging from classic consulting activities through IT and information security tools to R&D in new technologies. From the beginning, the company specializes in IT, and information security services, such as IT audits and information security counseling (e.g., IT risk assessment, IT security counseling), developing complex cybersecurity systems based on ITIL and AI applications, and counseling on business continuity and disaster recovery plans. In so doing, Kerubiel utilizes IT standards, such as the ISO 27000 and the NIST 800-53 controls assessment. Recently, the company has been focusing on Cyber Threat Intelligence software systems with Industrial Control System specifics and related services and developed an award-winning product, a Cyber Intel Matrix Platform providing dynamic defense capabilities.

On the other hand, Kerubiel provides complex counseling on data protection and data security measures as well. In this regard, we help customers develop, manage, and revise their data governance system to comply with the relevant laws and industry standards, such as the General Data Protection Regulation. Furthermore, we usually participate in developing and implementing the necessary documentation (e.g., privacy policies, privacy notices, DPIAs, etc.) and providing outsourced services, such as DPO or CISO, and training education.

Finally, Kerubiel has a firm R&D department focusing on emerging technologies, such as AI or VR. The company is also a member of the Hungarian AI Coalition and contributed to the Hungarian AI strategy adopted last year.

Q. How do you measure success, and over what time frame? How are these metrics determined?

We do not use metrics as a tool for measuring success since, in our opinion, a well-protected infrastructure or a satisfied customer is a big success in itself. However, looking back at the last four years of the company, the continuous expansion of our services (e.g., widening expertise in the key areas, product selling, R&D), the growing pool of contributing experts, and the clientele shows that over time and with conscious, self-reflecting, and patient building, success is inevitable.

Q. What new endeavors is your company currently undertaking?

There are two R&D projects that Kerubiel is currently undertaking. In the first one, the company collaborates with the University of Pisa to develop a virtual and augmented reality application to be tested with rehabilitation patients with upper-body motor impairment, particularly of the hands, fingers, wrists, and forearms. The EU funds this project. The other project aims to develop a new IoT-based solution for orthodontic patients. The research is carried by the University of Malta and British and Cyprian research centers.

Q. About your plans, where do you think your company will be in five years?

Hopefully, in five years, Kerubiel LTD will be involved in even more R&D projects. Hungary has just adopted its first modern AI strategy, which emphasizes the benefits of the technology and its applications. Thus, the company will keep on focusing on AI and related research projects.

Furthermore, the company establishes a strong and fruitful connection in the region, cooperating with other experts. Thus, with its ever-growing clientele, valuable connections with leading experts from various fields, and participation in national and international projects, the company strives to impact a regional level. Hopefully, our fresh and innovative yet professional approach provides an opportunity for Kerubiel to become one of the most innovative leading companies providing counseling to its clients in the CEE region. Hopefully, our fresh and innovative yet professional approach provides an opportunity for Kerubiel to become one of the most innovative leading companies providing counseling to its clients in the EU and APAC region.

“Recently, we have been focusing on Cyber Threat Intelligence software systems with Industrial Control System specifics and related services, and developed an award-winning product, a Cyber Intel Matrix Platform, providing dynamic defense capabilities.”