By equipping individuals with the knowledge and skills to navigate the digital world securely, we can minimize the risks of cyber threats, identity theft, and online scams. This movement has the potential to benefit a vast number of people, as it would provide them with the necessary tools to protect themselves and their digital lives effectively. As a part of our series about “5 Things You Need To Know To Optimize Your Company’s Approach to Data Privacy”, I have the pleasure of interviewing Marcus Scharra.

Marcus Scharra is an entrepreneur and technologist, and is the co-founder and CEO of Senhasegura, a provider of Privileged Access Management (PAM) solutions. Marcus holds a bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering from the University of São Paulo (USP) and a master’s degree, also from USP, specializing in Information Security and Artificial Intelligence for pattern recognition in corporate environments using artificial neural networks.

Under Marcus’s guidance, Senhasegura has emerged as a prominent player in the cybersecurity industry, garnering notable accolades such as being recognized as a Challenger in Gartner’s 2021 Magic Quadrant report for PAM. Through his visionary leadership and unwavering dedication, Marcus Scharra continues to drive the success and growth of Senhasegura while making significant contributions to the field of information security and technology.

Thank you so much for joining us in this interview series! Before we dig in, our readers would like to get to know you. Can you tell us a bit about how you grew up?

Well, I was born and raised in São Paulo, Brazil. In 2000, I finished my studies in Electric Engineering with a focus on Computing and Networks at the University of São Paulo (USP), where I met Artur Assad, my business partner.

In 2001 we came up with the idea of creating a company to help organizations prosper through a more secure world. In the beginning we worked mainly with stockbrokers in Brazil. Then we started working in infrastructure automation and finally, in 2010, we had the opportunity to start working with cybersecurity and Privileged Access Management. This is when Senhasegura was launched.

While initially limited to the Brazilian market, Senhasegura soon embarked on an international expansion journey. Today, it is gratifying to see that Senhasegura has grown into a global company with a presence in over 60 countries.

Is there a particular story that inspired you to pursue your career? We’d love to hear it.

Throughout my career, there have been several inspiring stories and experiences that have influenced my path. However, one particular story that echoes in me is the journey that I and my partner, Artur, embarked upon together.

From a young age, both Artur and I shared an entrepreneurial spirit and a passion for making a positive impact in the world. We were driven by a common vision: to utilize our skills, strengths, and expertise to create a safer and more secure environment for individuals and organizations. This shared desire to contribute to the betterment of society fueled our determination to pursue careers in the field of cybersecurity.

I believe that our story is a testament to the power of entrepreneurship, resilience, and a shared vision.