by Julia Paulus

Although the slowdown in the economy is taking its toll on business owners financially, there are some companies who, because of industry, an established reputation and customer base or a combination of factors, are thriving.  SpearTip Technologies, a Chesterfield-based provider of world-class Information Security solutions, is one such company that despite the current economy is set to have its record year. 
In July of 2005, Jarrett Kolthoff and David Wren, who had previously been competing for business in their industry, decided to join forces and form SpearTip Technologies.  Kolthoff and Wren financed the company themselves, and they were almost immediately in the black.
“Our business has three pillars,” says Kolthoff.  “The first is to assess.  We carry out web-application assessments where we break into data systems physically and technically.”
SpearTip’s second pillar is to secure.  “We provide product solutions to mitigate threats,’ says Kolthoff.  “We are a trusted advisor to the companies we work with.  We don’t care who they buy the solution from.  In many cases, we are able to reconfigure and properly deploy their existing investment in solutions.”
Lastly, SpearTip can respond when your data or physical security have been breached, “Incident response is a reaction to an issue or event that affects an organization’s security posture, and digital forensics is the use of computer investigation and analysis techniques to identify, examine, and preserve potential electronic evidence,” says Kolthoff.  “We work with all the largest law firms in town to small service providers.  We often get calls at a moments notice to do forensic analysis.”
Many of SpearTip’s employees have held positions with military or government clearance, and the average SpearTip consultant has 10 years of Information Security experience.  Their stringent hiring process and strength of the SpearTip is no doubt a large factor in their success.  “We have grown exponentially year after year, but we have been cautious about growing too fast,” says Wren.  “We don’t want to take on too much and implode.  It’s about sustainable growth.  Jarrett and I leverage each other’s strengths and utilize every team member’s strengths.”
The SpearTip team’s expertise boosted the company’s reputation and helped them achieve 100% growth in revenue from 2005 to 2006 and 70% growth from 2006 to 2007.  This year they are postured to grow another 150 to 200%. 
“I think we are still growing in the slowdown because of our relationships with people,” says Kolthoff.  “We are trusted advisors to our clients.”
“I think it’s also about longevity in the market,” says Wren.  “More and more business owners and corporations are starting to learn about forensics and the value of information security.  If you have a key member with high levels of access, and they are no longer part of your business we can come in and make sure there’s not a back door open.” 
“Yes. As the economy goes, people are making changes, and one of them is downsizing,” says Kolthoff.  “Downsizing includes people with access, and those people have the keys to the kingdom.”
Today, SpearTip has been busy making sure that employees that once had access are not able to breach your system.  The owners also recognize the importance of insuring the same quality service as they grow for continued growth in the future.

At a glance:
SpearTip Technologies

Years in Business: Since 2005

Mission: To help those in time of need.  We’re a highly specialized information security team.

Number of Employees when Founded: 2

Number of Employees Today: 12

Contact Information:
1415 Elbridge Payne, Suite 120
Chesterfield, MO 63017
636.532.5055
www.speartip.net