PGP Reviews

Pros

Good technology, real good people, especially at the middle/operational levels. They are focused on getting things done, doing the right things. They rely on each other.

Cons

Senior management is seldom aware of the efforts that it takes to get the work done in the trenches. When I was there resources went to Sales or to Engineering and everyone/everything else was of secondary importance. Can't provide a quality product without the other functions too!

Too many long-timers in the executive offices and way too many chiefs.

Not sure how all of this applies after the transition to Symantec ownership.

Advice to Senior Management

Flatten the organization, put some attention on operational leadership and execution.

Pros

Good engineers, but there has been a lot of attrition since their acquisition by Symantec

Cons

One would be surprised at the extent of politics within a company this size. I would attribute this to poor management (from top to bottom)

Advice to Senior Management

Open communication, listen to feedback

Pros

A lot of good people.

Cons

Not enough communication between team or department.

Advice to Senior Management

Be more open minded

Pros

- Smart engineers, challenging technology. You'll learn a lot
- Fewer deadwood engineers than other companies this size
- Flexible work schedule

Cons

- Poor communication between teams and departments
- Mediocre pay and benefits
- More time spent fixing bugs than preventing them

Advice to Senior Management

Think about next year, not just next month. Engineers are wasting time fixing bugs that would have been prevented by better engineering practices. You have experts on staff who know how to fix it-- DO IT.

Pros

The majority of employees come from large organizations. It's fairly diverse with respect to the rank and file and there are a number of team building events/celebrations whenever a milestone is reached.

Cons

There are some folks who are not held accountable and there are far too many politics (at times) for a company this size.

Advice to Senior Management

Hold everyone accountable whether they are rank and file or from the executive team. Also, have fewer meetings so that work can get done. There is no need to have a meeting everytime there is some sort of crisis.

Pros

Extremely smart and passionate co-workers. There is an immense amount of institutional knowledge especially in the realm encryption and security. Many of the software engineers have been there through all three incarnations of the company. It's also a very well respected company, talk to any serious geek and you say PGP and they will take notice. The technology beats anything else available hands down, and it's getting better. Encryption/security is a sector that is only getting more important, so it's good to have on the resume.

Cons

Sometimes it can have the intense pressure cooker startup atmosphere that can wear on you after a while. In the middle of the transition from small/med company to bigger one so process isn't always what it should be.

Advice to Senior Management

Need more involvement in interdepartmental communication and conflict resolution. We aren't a small startup anymore, you can't just assume everyone talks to one-another during lunch or over drinks.

Pros

PGP provides and interesting product in a promising marketplace. The company is still private, and while they may not be giving out a lot of stock options anymore, it's a good bet that the options they are giving will be worth at least something in the near future. PGP is in a new building with a much improved atmosphere and the location is good for employees in a fairly wide area.

Cons

Communication between departments is poor as is management direction in certain parts of the organization. There has also been significant turnover and change in all layers of the company.

Advice to Senior Management

Senior management needs to ensure that employees are treated fairly, both compared to other employees within the company and as compared to other companies. Senior management needs to make all employees feel like they are part of the team and the product, not just the engineering teams.

Pros

In general, great people. Nice facilities.

Cons

Difficult/stubborn people that are set in their ways and refuse to listen to others' ideas/thoughts.

Advice to Senior Management

Listen to the people that interact with customers. Better compensation!