SealingTech Abroad: 2024 International Travel Recap

As a cybersecurity technology and solutions-driven company, we’re committed to maintaining a combined front and shared capability with our international partners. Every year, our teams attend global conferences to meet fellow cybersecurity professionals, exchange with the best experts, and attend top lectures and roundtables in our quest to continually learn and stay up on the latest defensive cybersecurity innovations.   

This past summer, members of SealingTech attended conferences abroad and worked with allied nations on foreign military sales (FMS) and direct commercial sales (DCS) agreements. Here are their experiences. 

Establishing global interoperability 

The SealingTech team at Eurosatory 2024. Front row, Courtney Duggan and Aaron Welch. Back row, Dave Shortt, Wade Saunders, and Justin Hunsaker.

SealingTech wants to ensure that all US allies have access to the best cybersecurity capabilities as we work toward establishing interoperability and readiness. Our vision is to be a global leader in delivering tailored defensive cybersecurity solutions. This is a long-term goal and one that we feel is achievable because it’s a niche we already excel at today.

International Sales Account Manager Wade Saunders and Justin Hunsaker, SealingTech’s Solutions Architect, along with their team have begun working with the US Department of Commerce and US Embassies to support free trade and security of international communities. We’re also working with the US International Security Cooperation to establish direct commercial sales (DCS) and foreign military sales (FMS) agreements.   

“In June, we attended Eurostory in Paris, France,” says Wade. “It’s there we learned the importance of SealingTech leveraging the right kind of partners when it comes to FMS and DCS. Building those relationships with local distributors and resellers becomes critical in establishing that level of trust and credibility in country. 

“International partners want SealingTech’s capability but at the same time they don’t want to be totally dependent. We need to show them the many ways we can contribute to their industry and the training we can provide to make procurement from a US partner more palatable.” 

Justin Hunsaker adds, “What took me by surprise was Eurostory’s size. The largest conference I’ve ever attended and three times the size of the shows in Washington DC. Every country was represented, Russia and China even had their own pavilion. Tanks and helicopters were also on display. 

“I did, however, find the language barrier in Paris to be challenging outside of the conference, but we managed. We got to visit the Eiffel tower, the Louvre Museum, the Arc de Triomph, and preview all the Summer Olympics stuff before the rest of the world.” 

The SealingTech team at Infosec Europe 2024. Wade Saunders and Benjamin Young pictured.

Account manager Benjamin Young also visited Infosecurity Europe in London and TechNet International in Brussels.  

“I learned that other countries use their own procurement sites when it comes to finding possible international partnership. SealingTech currently utilizes in country value-added resellers (VARs) where they customize and sell our hardware to customers in other countries, not only for tax and financial reasons like exchange rates, but additionally VARs help connect us to who they think would be the right fit for our hardware and solutions.  

“Our aim is to find a true partnership that benefits all stakeholders and show we’re investing and contributing to the host country’s economy, not just pursing a sale. 

“Thanks to my team’s engagement in Brussels, a highlight for me from the trip was being granted the NATO opportunity board, a bid board for overseas purchasing which will be helpful for future FMS and DCS opportunities.”

Solutions architect Kenny Kelly also attended TechNet International in Brussels, Belgium this past June. And he helped facilitate the training SealingTech is conducting in Australia to promote interoperability of its Cyber-Fly-Away Kits.  

“In addition to the important work we’re doing with the Australian Cyber Defense Force, another highlight for me,” says Kenny, “was visiting Stirling Park where we saw kangaroos and black swans, magpies.” 

The SealingTech team at Technet International 2024. Left to right, Matthew Maggio, Benjamin Young, and Kenny Kelly.

“SealingTech is already an industry leader in the United States. However, as we aim to expand globally and offer customized solutions to our international partners, our success depends on our ability to build strong relationships with businesses around the world,” says Courtney Duggan, SealingTech’s Director of Marketing.  

“During my visits to Eurostory in Paris and TechNet Europe in London, I experienced firsthand how different cultures prioritize interpersonal connections and trust in business. For them, the relationship is crucial. This presents both a challenge and an opportunity for our marketing team, given that we are not based in those countries. 

“As we venture into the international market, it’s imperative that we create and execute strategies that not only highlight our expertise and innovation but also showcase our commitment to establishing collaborative partnerships.” 

Learn more about SealingTech’s global cybersecurity efforts here.