Secure Computing Reviews

Pros

Had a lot of momentum and great products up until 2007, then fizzled with exit strategy.

Cons

Lack of long term strategy led to a nonpreferred aquisition and then the purging of most employees from the aquiring organization.

Advice to Senior Management

Good luck!

Pros

Reasonable salary and perks including stock

Cons

Utterly mismanaged
Employees busy in negotiating low MBOs

Advice to Senior Management

Get rid of the MBO process

Pros

I was really excited to accept the position at Secure Computing, everyone was freindly and helpful. The companies benefits and valuation of past experience in the job package for vacation was amazing.

I was overwhelmed by the salary and compensation package (stock), and I felt that I was starting an exciting chapter in my career.

The work environment was calm and friendly, and the employees were very generous with each other, and worked hard to maintain a cordial atmosphere.

Cons

One merge, two merge ... and the world changed for the worst. Overnight our group changed from helpful and kind; to self promoting, unforgiving, paranoid and hostile.

The HR department lacked the ability to provide payroll on time over a long holiday.

The job offer provided benefits that were dissolved after the second merger, the second merger completed within 5 weeks of taking the position, so there was some deception on their part. Considering the 2nd merger time frame, Sr. management should have known at the time of the offer the benefits would be revoked.

Advice to Senior Management

The first line manager needs to learn how to not play favorites. When there was a tension with another engineer due to lack of communication; the problem was not repaired as a result a negative and harassing work enironment was imposed.

Pros

Network Security domain knowledge is a growing field and lot of opportunities exist

Cons

Company's financials are risky. Top management has not been able to hold onto key players. Many of the good developers, sales people have left the company

Advice to Senior Management

Pay attention to the core business. Stop the loss of IP by holding onto key players

Pros

The people are fantastic and it is a great place to learn

Cons

Company lacks a good business sense. Great products, but poor direction or execution.

Advice to Senior Management

Employees need to all be working towards the same goals and the company direction should be communicated to the rest of the company.

Pros

Great people, friendly atmosphere, frequent outings and parties are organized for employees. High intellectual capital. Excellent work/life balance. Flexibility in setting your schedule, work on weekends is very rare.

Cons

The company is very process oriented which may seem like overkill in a company of their size (small to medium). This may stifle creativity and ,at the very least, feels inefficient and frustrating. No structured program for advancement and limited opportunities (May vary depending upon the division/location you work in). Compensation is lower when compared to similar companies in the industry.

Advice to Senior Management

-

Pros

Execellent Products
Good Partner's
Remaining co-workers that haven't left. Many of the long time employees are excellent team players.

Cons

Lack of Senior Managment Communication
Negativeness by Senior Management toward employees
Lack of direction perceived by customers and partners needs to be corrected
Senior Management seems to be overwhelmed and not have a plan
Senior Managment is driving the longtime employees out of the company, many of which have been key contributors and have strategica relationships with key accounts and key partner's. Quarterly revenue targets are not being met due to bad decisions over the last six months. Additionally, the compensation plan put into place was so unfunctional that an outside firm had to be hired to aid in putting a new compensation plan in place. So far, Secure is operating without the new compensation plan and under the unfunctional plan.

Advice to Senior Management

Communicate better with employees and customers, and commend employees when they do a good job.