Boca tech firm getting lots of notice

Published June 27th, 2008

By John Johnston
Managing Editor

“Information is currency,” says Michael Scheidell.

That, plus the exchange of information now happening at unfathomably fast speeds, means “a big problem” for the average citizen.

Scheidell knows all of this because he’s the CTO (chief technology officer) of Boca Raton based SECNAP® Network Security Corporation, a firm on the cutting edge of preventing consumer and business information “from being grabbed out of the sky,” Scheidell says.

And his firm has done that so well in the recent past, that both Scheidell and SECNAP have received a bushel full of industry awards – the most recent of which was the Shaping Information Security Award last month.  

Sponsored by Info Security Products Guide, a leading digital security buyers’ guide, this award recognized SECNAP for “exceptionally accurate and function-rich” technology and Scheidell for “his contribution to the industry and to users of security products and services.”  SECNAP was one of just 10 winners from a field of hundreds; others included Microsoft and SonicWALL.

Scheidell was honored for his groundbreaking work in developing an “exceptionally accurate and function-rich Intrusion Detection and Prevention solution.” A recognized expert, speaker and author in the network and data security community, the award said, Scheidell has “an extensive history of invention, innovation and thought leadership in the security space.”

Since founding SECNAP Scheidell said he has pursued the development of security solutions – producing patent-pending intrusion detection and prevention technology, and a revolutionary email security/anti-spam product line.

Other awards this year include:

• Technology Award: sponsored by the South Florida Business Journal, Citrix and Verizon Wireless and presented by Host.net, this award recognized top technology leaders in eight categories. Scheidell was honored in the Internet-Based Technology category for driving technological advancements in network and email security.

• Emerging Technology Vendor: SpammerTrap was named to the Channel Reseller News (CRN) annual ‘Emerging Tech’ List, used by VARs, VADs and channel solution providers as a reference guide to ‘up and coming’ products.

• The King of Spam Filters: SC (Secure Computing) Magazine reviewed the SpammerTrap product and dubbed it “The King of Spam Filters,” also awarding a full five stars for “ease of use, documentation, and support.”

• Hot Product: SpammerTrap was named a Hot Product in the VAR/VAD/Reseller space at the XChange Solution Provider Conference in Los Angeles, hosted by Everything Channel.

• Hot Company: SECNAP was honored as a Hot Company through a vote at the Technosium 2008 Executive Summit by a team of peers in networking, wireless, mobile, software, storage and security technology companies -- including Cisco Systems, IBM, Juniper Networks, Intel, HP, Oracle and others.

“It’s all about convergence, Scheidell says.  “It’s about having one way to make sure your information is secure.”

Consumers are now, and primarily, hooked up to the electronic world through broadband – a 24/7 connection, Scheidell says.

That means constant software vigilance, he says.  “Your money now is little bits and dots on a computer.”

And if the number of awards is any indication, there’s a new sheriff in town.