PS: Duo launches new security professional services business

Kiwi security, storage and memory distributor Duo has spun off a new security professional services business, PS Duo, to help fill a skills and capability shortage in the local security market.

The new business, which officially launches on April 01, will provide certified security experts to help resellers on specific projects.

Duo co-founder and director Jackie Hatchwell, who now heads up the PS Duo business, says technology projects around New Zealand are being delayed because of a lack of skilled staff and resource.

"Resellers don't always have the resources to be able to start project-based work and they don't necessarily want to bring on headcount or have the money to invest in additional headcount," Hatchwell says.

The nationwide service brings together independent contracts and resellers – including those who are not Duo resellers and those handling brands outside of the Duo portfolio – with PS Duo having four core pillars of competency: architecture, design, policy and operations.

"We will be able to provide resource within each of those pillars," Hatchwell says. "They will be different contractors.

Hatchwell says the offering will enable resellers to take on projects they may not have taken on otherwise, bringing additional revenue for them.

"If they don't have the resource, or there is another project that comes up, by having the pool of contractors, we will be able to provide resource almost immediately," she says.

"I think there's a real opportunity for us to make a difference and help the reseller partner as well as the contractors. It's a fantastic opportunity for us and for them.

Kendra Ross, Duo director and co-founder, says the PS Duo the contractors extend to being able to provide virtual security officers as required.

"We've got people on our books who can act for organisations as a virtual security officer/chief security officer for organisations that don't need to commit to someone for 40 hours a week but might need to have someone in for five or six hours a week to help them build out their security strategy, and look at the governance and risk around that.

Ross says with the current skills shortage in the security market, the contracting and professional services market is going to be the band aid to get a lot of projects completed.

"The security market and the drivers behind organisations, enterprise and government becoming more secure is imperative these days.

While the majority of the contractors are based in Wellington and Auckland, Ross says the service is nationwide and contractors have already been dispatched to projects in the South Island.

"I think the South Island will be a growth area," Ross says.

"We've got contractors who are fly-in, fly-out, and will go to areas throughout New Zealand.

The company currently has around 14 contractors on its books, with security professionals looking to contract approaching Hatchwell 'at least twice a week'.

"In the last month it has exploded," Hatchwell says.

Ross admits that some organisations have already approached PS Duo directly for assistance, but says the new company is trying hard to work back through the reseller channel, rather than going direct.