Software company 10Pearls acquires ProQual-IT, a cybersecurity firm

10Pearls, a digital development company based in Washington DC, has acquired ProQual-IT, a cybersecurity and information technology services provider that specializes in biometrics and identity management.

10Pearls has not released an exact figure of the deal. So far we know that following the acquisition, James Annulis, ProQual-IT’s founder and CEO, will be joining the 10Pearls management team, and all ProQual-IT employees are expected to join the 10Pearls team.

Since launching operations in 2004, 10Pearls has come a long way. Right now the company has about 320 employees with offices in Karachi, Dubai, San Francisco, Washington DC, and Toronto. 10Pearls has a very diverse portfolio and works in areas of mobile and web development, enterprise solutions, user research and experience, cognitive design and process improvement. Just recently the company revealed its plan to expand its team and announced over 50 job openings.

Speaking of the reason behind the acquisition, Imran Aftab, CEO 10Pearls, shed some light on the strategic move by and said,

“We know that identity management and biometrics will continue to be essential components of world-class digital experiences. That’s why we’ve joined forces with ProQual-IT. As an end-to-end digital technology services partner working on our clients’ mission-critical initiatives, we consider it our responsibility to stay ahead of our clients’ needs and continue to add value for them. This allows our clients to truly lean on us, so they can focus on business acceleration.”

Mr. Aftab was of the opinion that in today’s rapidly developing world, it is imperative for businesses to ensure customer security. Even big companies are vulnerable to attack and hence for every digital product, there must be a strategy to address information security.

“The recent Equifax data breach will make already skeptical consumers even more worried about the safety of their personal information,” he said.

Mr. Annulis of ProQual-IT sees the acquisition as a natural fit for both companies.

“I’m very excited about joining the 10Pearls team. As a combined entity, we can provide a full suite of technology services that businesses need. Together we will have a bigger impact for our clients,” he said.

As more and more companies invest in engaging with their customers digitally, they need better ways of confirming the identity of the customer on the other side of the screen. Simultaneously, today’s savvy consumers expect the businesses they patronize to offer convenient, enjoyable experiences. Identity management and biometrics let security and customer experience exist in harmony. New mechanisms for authenticating identity provide more natural, less intrusive experiences for customers without compromising security.