Chapter 56: Scaling Up
The morning sun filtered through the tall windows of the Sentinel Systems headquarters, casting a soft glow across the polished conference room table. Matthew leaned back in his chair, eyes locked on the display screen showing their current assets and roadmap.
Moments later, Daniel entered the room with his usual composed demeanor, a leather portfolio under his arm. Saimon and Leo followed, talking animatedly about potential office locations in BGC.
Daniel set the portfolio on the table and took a seat. "Morning. I've been thinking about our next steps," he said, wasting no time. "You have seventeen billion pesos in your hands, Matthew. We're not a mid-sized operation anymore. This puts you in the big leagues—time to take Sentinel Systems to new heights."
Matthew nodded. "Exactly what I've been thinking. We need to expand. Fast. New offices, new staff, and infrastructure upgrades—everything."
Matthew nodded. "Exactly what I've been thinking. We need to expand. Fast. New offices, new staff, and infrastructure upgrades—everything."
"Agreed," Daniel replied. "But expansion is about more than just throwing money around. We need a plan."
Matthew leaned forward. "We've got one. It's going to start with scaling our product offerings and rethinking how we position our system globally."
Daniel raised an eyebrow. "Alright, let's hear it."
Matthew pulled up a projection of their product structure on the conference screen. "The full version of our system—the adaptive threat detection, quantum-resistant encryption, and all those advanced protocols—will stay exclusive to our top clients. Facebook and the U.S. agencies are the only ones who'll get that."
Saimon crossed his arms and nodded in approval. "Makes sense. If we gave everyone the full package, we'd be giving away our best weapon."
Matthew continued, "For governments in Asia—like the DICT here in the Philippines, and agencies in Japan, South Korea, and Singapore—we offer a scaled-down version. Strong enough to outpace anything they currently have, but without the classified enhancements."
"And for private companies?" Daniel asked.
"Another tier," Matthew answered. "Customizable security packages with core encryption and network protection protocols. We'll market this to large corporations and enterprises—Ayala, San Miguel, maybe even regional conglomerates in Southeast Asia. This commercial tier will be a major revenue driver."
Daniel nodded thoughtfully. "We'll need a solid legal framework for each version. Licensing agreements that prevent unauthorized modifications or reverse-engineering of our tech. I'll draft those."
Matthew folded his arms, eyes narrowing as he thought of the next step. "Scaling the product is one thing, but if we're going to meet demand, we need to scale the company itself. The headquarters here won't cut it anymore."
Saimon, sensing his cue, spoke up. "Leo and I were talking about that. BGC is perfect. It's secure, modern, and already home to major tech and business firms."
Leo added, "We'll look at office spaces with enough room for at least 300 employees to start. R&D labs, secure server rooms, executive offices—the works."
Matthew nodded. "Good. Prioritize security. I want biometric access, backup power systems, and 24-hour surveillance. We're going to be a prime target now."
"You got it," Leo said with a grin. "We'll have options for you by next week."
Matthew shifted his focus to Daniel. "We'll also need global infrastructure. Data centers—secure ones."
"Singapore for Southeast Asia operations," Daniel said thoughtfully. "Silicon Valley for U.S. clients, and maybe London for Europe."
"Exactly," Matthew confirmed. "I want those centers to handle real-time encryption and traffic monitoring. Redundancy and uptime are going to be critical."
Daniel made a quick note. "We'll start negotiations with contractors for those data centers. We should also explore partnerships with telecom providers to strengthen our network."
As the conversation progressed, Matthew tapped his fingers on the table, thinking about the human factor.
"We can't do this alone. We need top talent—cybersecurity engineers, developers, network specialists. The question is where are we going to find those people. There's no way me, Saimon, and Leo can do it. Do you have a suggestion, sir Daniel?"
"Well, you need to hire a dedicated talent acquisition team," Daniel replied. "Recruitment agencies, HR specialists, and tech scouts. We'll need people who understand not just the technical requirements but also the kind of high-pressure environment Sentinel Systems is entering. Do you want me to look into top recruitment firms to get the ball rolling?" Daniel continued, his eyes scanning Matthew for a response.
Matthew nodded thoughtfully. "Yes, but I also want a two-pronged approach. Use those firms to scout experienced professionals from established tech companies and cybersecurity organizations. At the same time, let's reach out to universities. We need a pipeline for fresh talent—internships, scholarships, and partnerships with top schools in the Philippines and abroad."
Leo perked up. "I can handle the university partnerships. Ateneo, UP, and La Salle have strong tech programs. We could build a mentorship program where promising students intern with us before we hire them full-time."
"That's a solid plan," Daniel agreed. "It'll help create brand loyalty early on. These students will associate their career growth with Sentinel Systems."
Matthew added, "But we can't skimp on the experts. We're going to be working with high-profile clients and classified networks. We need veterans who can hit the ground running. Reach out to tech hubs in Singapore, Japan, and Silicon Valley. Offer competitive packages—relocation support, bonuses, stock options."
"Consider it done," Daniel said, jotting down notes. "We'll also need a world-class onboarding process. These hires need to integrate quickly and understand the sensitive nature of our work."
"Speaking of sensitive," Saimon interjected, "how are we handling security clearances? I imagine the U.S. won't give us access to classified networks without vetting our team."
Matthew sighed. "They've already mentioned expedited clearances for key personnel, but that's only for U.S. operations. We'll need to set up our own internal vetting process for non-U.S. offices. Daniel, can you draft a security protocol?"
"Absolutely," Daniel replied. "I'll consult with specialists in corporate espionage prevention and counterintelligence. We need secure communication channels, regular audits, and training programs on data security."
Leo chuckled nervously. "Man, this is starting to feel like a spy movie. Are we going to have guys with earpieces walking around the office?"
"Maybe not that extreme," Matthew said with a smirk. "But we're not taking any chances. Sentinel Systems is a target now. We need to be proactive."
Daniel leaned forward, his tone serious. "I'll also reach out to law enforcement and intelligence agencies here in the Philippines. They can offer guidance on physical security and cybercrime prevention. We'll establish close ties with agencies like the DICT."
"Good," Matthew said. "Now that seems to be all. Let's get to work."