Bring MCA

SEC IT's experience

& cybersecurity expertise

In an ever-changing environment where cybersecurity is paramount, the MCA Group, through its subsidiary SEC IT, is reaffirming its commitment to strengthening both its internal and external cybersecurity capabilities. 

To find out more, we spoke to Pascal Montel, a key figure in driving the MCA Group's cybersecurity activities.

In 2016, he founded SEC IT, a company specialized in cybersecurity, which obtained PASSI qualification from ANSSI in 2020. Today, as the MCA Group's CISO, he is leading the Group's transformation towards excellence in cybersecurity, in particular through the ISO 27001 certification project.

Integrated into the MCA Group since 2021, Pascal also currently serves as the Group's CISO. He is leading the transformation of the group towards excellence in cybersecurity, particularly through the ISO 27001 certification project.

Why MCA for SEC IT?

In the end, the choice of joining MCA was a logical one for me. As an engineering specialist, MCA has the capacity to support customers in the design and construction of critical systems. One of SEC IT's purpose is to protect critical systems and the activities of private and public organisations.

What MCA builds, we can protect, which makes sense for our customers. This synergy between construction and protection is crucial. With French capital, MCA is also responding to the challenge of cyber security sovereignty, not just for France but for the whole of Europe. The market is moving towards a European approach, and France is often in the vanguard in this area. With its European roots, MCA has huge growth potential.

What is it that makes SEC IT so trusted and appreciated by its customers?

I personally think that honesty and openness are essential, both in business and in life! Honesty also means knowing how to say no when it's in the best interests of the people we work with.

First and foremost, we provide our customers with expertise in cyber risks. We also have highly specific expertise that enables our customers to promote their cybersecurity approach to their own customers (B2B2B), in order to win new business and consolidate their positions.

These strong values and proven expertise, combined with a high level of quality and a practical sense of the duty to advise, are I think what sets us apart and what our customers appreciate. SEC-IT is a reliable partner that listens, is capable of constructive criticism and is focused on practical issues.

What are you most proud of?

I'm proud to be at the origin of SEC-IT, to have obtained the qualification of trusted service provider by the French cybersecurity agency (PASSI qualification by ANSSI - around 70 companies are certified in France). I'm also proud to see SEC-IT continue its development within the MCA Group. We now have customers all over Europe, from the biggest to the smallest, and I'm proud to be building and perpetuating our values. We operate as a single team, with passionate and committed people. I love what I do, I believe in this project, and I want to share it.

Can you tell us about a customer success story?

One of our successes was with Jean Lequenne in our agency in South of France, for a major French account. Working with the SEC-IT sales teams, we won an initial 'test' contract for an audit activity. When we returned our work, the client's four cyber directors were very satisfied. We are now listed as a Tier 1 partner for this customer, which opens up some very exciting prospects.

This kind of success is possible thanks to collaboration between local agencies that know their customers, and the expertise of SEC-IT's technical teams.

How do you help with the recruitment of cyber profiles, which are more specific than those to which MCA is accustomed?

I help the sourcing and sales teams to understand our customers' needs and adapt the talent search accordingly. If necessary, SEC-IT can intervene at the advanced stages of the process to check technical skills but also to give candidates a better idea of this expertise, which is sometimes still unclear to the most junior candidates.

A final word?

Quite simply, if you're curious and would like to find out more about our areas of expertise and how to get there, my teams and I would be delighted to hear from you!

Many thanks and well done Pascal!