CEO and CISO, Zartech Inc.
Abu Sadeq earned two degrees at the Naveen Jindal School of Management. He received a bachelor’s in business administration and a master’s in what has become the information technology and management program. Those degrees have served him well as he has moved his career forward at several North Texas high-tech companies, focusing on cybersecurity.
He eventually started Zartech, a Dallas-based consulting company that helps clients with cybersecurity diagnostics and strategies and even provides experts for boards of directors facing cybersecurity questions or managing regulatory affairs.
Prior to Zartech, Sadeq worked as an information technology professional in the oil and gas, manufacturing, aerospace and healthcare industries.
Tell us the highlights of your professional career. What are your proudest achievements?
I have had a progressive career in information technology (IT), where I started out as a systems analyst/programmer, then as an IT program/project manager and climbed my way up the ladder to a business unit chief information officer position for a $1.2B manufacturing company. I have been fortunate to obtain diverse industry experience in aerospace and defense, chemical, telecom, healthcare, oil and gas and consumer goods. All along the way, I was developing and executing IT strategies in global manufacturing environments.
What brought you to UT Dallas?
I selected UT Dallas because of the programs it offered and the low cost of living in Texas. In 1990, when I first attended UT Dallas, it was not as big and well known as it is today. The University had just started accepting freshmen that year.
What is your favorite UT Dallas memory? Favorite professor and/or class?
I really appreciate the support that Dean Hasan Pirkul provided to me and for genuinely caring about every single one of his students. I’ve been fortunate to learn from many professors who had a great impact on me and on my education — I wish I could reference them all here and thank them. In terms of classes, I especially enjoyed my database management classes.
What’s the best advice you have received?
I once read a tale of a wise ruler who talked about the “priceless ingredient.” The priceless ingredient of every product in the marketplace is the honor and integrity of the person who makes it. Consider that before you buy anything. I believe this also applies to the individual, and I try my best to act with honor and integrity in everything I do.
What led you to start your business?
With all the recent data breaches in the news, cybersecurity has become a major concern for all organizations. I felt there was a huge opportunity to help organizations address this problem and help them work toward a steady improvement in their cybersecurity efforts. At my company, Zartech, the cybersecurity practice brings together a team of security executives who leverage their experience and expertise across information technology and professional services to meet our clients’ cybersecurity needs. We developed an all-in-one cybersecurity tool that they can leverage to strengthen their security.
What were the biggest hurdles to starting your own business?
The two biggest hurdles that I faced were:
- Funding the new business: I decided early on to be self-funded as I did not want to give out equity in the company by bringing in venture capitalists or angel investors. With limited funds, we had to be smart on where we spent our money.
- Time to market: Developing new software takes time and in order to be the first in the market, we had to do some rapid application development. I am happy to say that we were successful in both areas.
Who did you consult with to start your business? What did they say that particularly motivated you?
I consulted with a few of my friends who are experts in their field and held C-level positions in large organizations before opening my company. We also ran the product idea through a focus group that validated the need and market for it.
Any words of wisdom for someone exploring the “own your own business” career path?
Starting a business is hard work, requires a lot of determination and learning, and only pays off in the long term. Don’t start a company unless you are passionate about it and it’s something you love.
What advice do you have for current students hoping to succeed in the business world?
I challenge you every day to think out of the box and go above and beyond on your schoolwork because you know what you are capable of.
What makes an effective leader?
A highly effective leader should inspire action, be optimistic, have integrity, support and facilitate his team, communicate well and be decisive.
What do you enjoy doing in your free time?
I am an outdoor person, and I enjoy sports. I try to play soccer a few times a week.
