[79378] in Cypherpunks
Layoffs at PGP
daemon@ATHENA.MIT.EDU (Super-User)
Thu May 1 18:22:08 1997
Date: Thu, 01 May 1997 13:39:30 -0700
From: Super-User <root@nwdtc.com>
To: cypherpunks@algebra.com
Reply-To: Super-User <root@nwdtc.com>
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http://www.wired.com/news/business/story/3543.html
I what part of the employee base was purged? Anyone we know?
Sounds like PGP sold their soul to the company store... (or the
corporate binge and purge mentality.)
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[arrow] PGP Pretty Good on Privacy of Layoff Details
by Kristi Coale
6:09pm 30.Apr.97.PDT In keeping with its core technology -
information security - Pretty Good Privacy was tight-lipped abo=
ut
the details of the layoffs it announced to employees Tuesday
morning.
"We prefer not to mention the number as we are a privacy compan=
y,
but it was small in number and limited in scope," spokesman Mik=
e
Nelson told Wired News on Wednesday.
The layoffs are part of what Nelson described as a shift in the
company's strategy from developing products for protecting
individual privacy to being a security specialist for the Fortu=
ne
500. Analysts say this rejiggering of priorities is not a drast=
ic
one, pointing to the 24 March purchase of ZoomIt, a company tha=
t
specialized in corporate, enterprise-wide security systems.
The shift represents a maturation of a company that built its
reputation through a type of grass-roots organizing: distributi=
ng
its products through freeware, said Ezra Gottheil, director of
Internet business strategies in Newton, Massachusetts.
"They're a real Internet company. They're also an ambitious
company that sees it's time to move into corporate IS
departments," Gottheil said.
Part of that shift may mean that Internet Fast-Forward, an
ad-filtering technology developed by PrivNet, which PGP acquire=
d
last November, will take a back seat - perhaps permanently.
Although PGP wouldn't say that it is pulling the plug on the
product, Fast-Forward is considered a "lower priority" than oth=
er
developments, Nelson said.
"Internet Fast-Forward is not as closely related to the tools w=
e
develop for individuals for privacy," he said. And the fact tha=
t
Fast-Forward filters ads which are an "inimical part of some of
the emerging Web commerce models ... we don't want to hinder th=
is
development."
Nelson wouldn't say whether the layoffs affected anyone in
PrivNet but noted that the acquisition generated engineering
talent PGP wanted. That technical know-how along with other
resources are being focused on centralized corporate security
systems. In fact, the company has put out a casting call for mo=
re
engineers to satisfy its resource dearth in research and
development in this area.
Ultimately, all of these adjustments could simply be PGP's
preparation to woo the investors it seeks for a public offering.
Although PGP has no immediate plans to go public, company
officials intend to review these investment schedules this
summer, Nelson said.
Related Wired Links:
PGP's Export Solution: Stamps, Envelopes
by James Glave
PGP Zooms into Corporate Security
by Spencer E. Ante
PGP Lets You Take Charge of Your Cookies
by James Glave
Beat That Tap - It's PGP For Sale
by David Lazarus
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