Capita enlists Hobson for security onslaught
IT services giant recruits former GSS boss David Hobson to spearhead infosecurity push
Channel veteran David Hobson claims Capita is a "hidden gem" in the information security space after joining the IT services giant in a high-profile role.
In his post as head of infosec sales, Hobson (pictured) has been charged with growing the Capita brand in the sector, where it plans to play just below the Big Four auditors including PwC and Deloitte.
"We've pulled [our security consultants] together into one central team and are now going to grow that and exploit it a bit better than before," Hobson told CRN.
"Capita has probably one of the best-qualified and experienced teams of infosec consultants going, but nobody knows about it."
Capita's infosecurity prowess spans areas such as CLAS consulting, ISO 27001 and ethical hacking, said Hobson, who left previous employer MTI in February two and a half years after joining the storage integrator through its acquisition of his security VAR GSS. It has 24 consultants in total with open headcount for several more.
"Capita has a very full range of infosec capabilities and the breadth and depth is stronger than I thought it would be," Hobson said.
"We recognise PwC and Deloitte have their place and the market will go with them for their brand for some stuff. At Capita, we've got the quality of consultants but come out far more competitively on price."
Although sitting in a different division, Hobson's team will work alongside the security supplier business Capita gained through its acquisition of NTS in March, Hobson said.
NTT Com – which acquired Integralis in 2009 – will be among Capita's other key competitors, said Hobson, who claimed IT companies of all forms are charging into the security market due to its juicy growth potential.
"While the European Data Protection Directive will grab the attention of many boards, what's really driving the market are the real breaches that are happening," he said. "People are being hit by malware and are finally putting their hands up and acknowledging they have been hit and that they need to do something about it."