HiQ, a leading IT and technology consultancy, is strengthening its offering in cybersecurity. To meet the escalating digital threats, and in response to the current skills shortage among Swedish companies and the public sector, HiQ is taking action through its cyber investment. Security expert Pernilla Rönn is onboarded as Head of Cybersecurity to lead the strategic initiative.

HiQ is accelerating its offering and expertise in cybersecurity. Earlier this year, the consulting firm onboarded network and infrastructure consultants through the IT company Consign and acquired nearly a hundred tech consultants specializing in the public sector from the Finnish company Ambientia, including expertise in cybersecurity.

To lead and drive HiQ’s cybersecurity initiative forward, Pernilla Rönn has now been appointed as Head of Cybersecurity, based in and responsible for HiQ’s cybersecurity team in Stockholm, while also leading the work nationwide alongside colleagues in other regions. Pernilla Rönn has held numerous leadership positions within the security industry for over two decades and plays a pivotal role in HiQ’s security offerings.

“At HiQ, there’s a strong drive ingrained in our DNA to be at the forefront of digital solutions and technology. Our expertise in cybersecurity is no exception. With Pernilla in control and our collective knowledge in technology and cybersecurity, we can meet and hopefully even exceed customer expectations in this critical area,” says Samuel Skott, CEO of HiQ.

HiQ has extensive experience in handling complex technical challenges and has significant security expertise across the spectrum, from organizational regulatory compliance to technical product security and infrastructure management.

“Our ambition is to be a leading and proactive partner in cybersecurity. The future requires businesses to have a dynamic and comprehensive strategy for their cybersecurity efforts. I am impressed by the strong expertise in our team and the integrated competence HiQ has in technology and security, and I look forward to contributing to HiQ’s position as a pioneer in this incredibly important area. My focus is to continuously improve and develop our cybersecurity offering and build the team to support even more private businesses and public entities on their security journeys,” says Pernilla Rönn, the new Head of Cybersecurity at HiQ.

Robin Askelöf will assume the role of Chief Marketing Officer at HiQ in May. He has a solid background in communication and marketing, the last ten years as CMO at SaaS company Hypergene.

This role is a strategic recruitment in HiQ’s growth journey to become the leading IT and tech consulting partner for clients who seek to shape the future through digital solutions.

“Robin will be a powerful addition to HiQ. As a consulting partner with long sales cycles and tough competition for talent, the brand plays a key role. We are completely dependent on working with our awareness and clarifying what we stand for and can offer. HiQ has strong brand equity in many ways, but we need to take the next step to meet today’s and tomorrow’s market. I am fully convinced that Robin, together with his team, will realize HiQ’s full potential as a brand,” says Samuel Skott, CEO of HiQ.

Robin Askelöf will have overall responsibility for brand, marketing, and communication for the HiQ Group and will be part of HiQ’s management team. He has 25 years of experience in marketing and communication, focusing on delivering results and driving change. In his role as CMO over the past ten years, he has contributed to making the SaaS company Hypergene a leader in its category. Previously, he has held several roles in the consulting world, both as a consultant and manager, including at Hallvarsson & Halvarsson and the publicly traded company Connecta.

“HiQ has always impressed with sharp consultants, the ability to stand out, and how they truly make a difference for their clients. Therefore, being part of that journey feels both inspiring and incredibly fun. Moreover, HiQ has a fantastic brand to build upon. Now I look forward to getting started, meeting all colleagues, and starting to contribute,” says Robin Askelöf.

Robin Askelöf will assume the role on May 6, 2024.

For the third consecutive year, HiQ partners with Women in Tech, contributing to the journey towards a more gender-equal tech industry. The partnership extends throughout 2024 and includes participation in the #WITswe2024 conference on April 17.

“It’s a natural decision to continue our collaboration with Women in Tech Sweden. The partnership provides us with a platform to collectively contribute to an even more inclusive industry and, not least, to continue discussing and evolving in our gender equality efforts. Undoubtedly, we must actively work to reach and be attractive to all candidates in the market, regardless of background, gender, or age. This is not only crucial from the important perspective of inclusion but a crucial competence supply issue,” says Samuel Skott, CEO of HiQ.

“Continuing to recruit and retain more women remains a key priority for HiQ, and our diversity and gender equality efforts are ongoing. As part of a rapidly growing tech industry employing many talents, especially young graduates, we have a vital role in raising awareness and educating for the right actions every day in our various processes and decisions. This is how we can create sustainable change,” says Helena Herolf, Chief People Officer at HiQ.

Women in Tech aims to inspire women to choose a career in technology and retain those already active in the industry by providing networks, role models, inspiration, and experiences from business, entrepreneurship, academia, and science. What began as an annual event has evolved into not only the largest tech conference in Scandinavia but also a platform and a movement with over 20,000 members of various genders.

”It’s so important that we do this together. Working towards prioritizing efforts to create teams with greater diversity. Because we know it helps us develop better and smarter services and products. That’s why we’re so pleased that HiQ is with us for the third year in our shared journey towards a more inclusive industry, says Åsa Johansen, Director of Women in Tech.

The Women in Tech conference will take place at Stockholm Waterfront Congress Center on April 17, themed Connect, Create, Innovate: Crafting Tech with Human Essence, aiming to reflect the collaborative and innovative aspects of tech and highlighting how every byte of code can carry traces of human essence.

For more information about Women in Tech Sweden:
https://womenintech.se

HiQ is investing and strengthening its offering in cybersecurity. The company is taking over Consign’s consultants – who bring complementary expertise in secure development of network and infrastructure.

“There is no doubt that the demand for expertise in cybersecurity is significant. Many companies and organizations struggle to access the right expertise to secure their operations against increased threats. We encounter these types of challenges more and more in discussions with clients, and we are making a significant effort to have even better capabilities to be a partner at the forefront of security matters. A crucial step is, of course, to broaden our expertise, and we are very pleased to welcome Consign’s consultants with their deep knowledge to HiQ,” says Samuel Skott, CEO of HiQ.

For several years, HiQ has supported companies and the public sector in cybersecurity, with a focus on governance, risk and compliance, technical security, and penetration testing. With about ten senior consultants from Consign, HiQ is now expanding its offering with security expertise in network and infrastructure.

“Together with our new colleagues, we are expanding a distinct fourth offering in cybersecurity, with a focus on the competence area of network and infrastructure. Just as in all development, combining expertise is incredibly important to ensure the security aspect is not overlooked. A combination of regulatory requirements and availability also requires a higher layer of security, and with this added group, we strengthen our competence offering in the area, which feels fantastic,” says Sofie Höijer, Commercial Manager in Cybersecurity at HiQ.

Second addition to HiQ in 2024
Consign’s consultants are the second addition to the HiQ Group this year. Since the beginning of the year, the IT and tech company is also to acquire a leading business unit with nearly a hundred tech consultants specializing in the public sector from Ambientia in Finland.

If you want HiQs help with cybersecurity, please contact:
Sofie Höijer, Commercial Manager Cybersecurity at HiQ
Phone: +46 70 600 62 02
Email: sofie.hoijer@hiq.fi