Sepp Rajaie is a visionary entrepreneur with over 30 years of technology and data life cycle management leadership expertise. As the founder and CEO of TechR2, he created the Tear-A-Byte® Patented process for destroying critical data on end-point storage devices, which is the only patented, comprehensive, and 100 percent compliant data destruction process available, and is an essential component of any organization’s cybersecurity strategy. TechR2 is a revolutionary technology firm with numerous sites across the world that focuses on erasing vital data on end-point storage devices to guarantee compliance with all global data privacy laws and multiple ISO industry standards.
Sepp immigrated to the United States from Iran when he was 18 years old in search of a better education. Shortly after his arrival, the Iranian political revolution altered the trajectory of his life. With unrest emerging in his native country, Sepp asked for refuge, was given asylum, and was eventually awarded citizenship in the United States. Sepp immediately found that he had to work hard to put himself through school while juggling multiple full-time jobs because he had no financial assistance from his family in Iran. This useful experience helped him in his future undertakings.
Founding TechR2
Sepp’s schooling, along with his expertise in sales and marketing for a technology company, prompted him to launch his own company in 1989. Sepp anticipated that as data dissemination and processing grew, the notion of data security would become a critical component of technological growth. “My vision was always clear that data security would be essential and that there was a gaping hole in the industry that continued to get bigger and bigger. This was the foundation of how TechR2 was born—I knew there was a crucial necessity – so we began building,” he explains.
This insight has resulted in TechR2’s innovative approach to data security. TechR2 does not adhere to or support the old adage “if it is not broken, don’t fix it.” Fortunately, risk assessments are one of TechR2’s core service offerings, allowing the company to identify clients’ security flaws and improve their processes. This is an excellent opportunity for TechR2 to advise, counsel, and safeguard customer vulnerabilities. They provide a bespoke cybersecurity framework adapted to customer needs based on industry, activity, and size; this necessitates an innovative and proactive culture. “Our engineering department is on pace for 10 patents this year alone. Along with other stringent ISO accreditations, we are proud to be International Standards Organization (ISO) 31000 certified, allowing us to conduct professional assessments for data security across the U.S. and the world. As reported by the U.S. Inspector General (2019 and 2020), organizations continue to utilize non-compliant practices and uncertified vendors because organizations are still learning how to protect client healthcare, financial, and personal data,” says Mr. Rajaie.
The proprietary TechR2 Tear-A-Byte® technology from the firm overcomes data security gaps in existing, non-compliant procedures. Data security breaches, failed data destruction processes, and e-waste failures are reported every day across the United States. TechR2 has been prepared for this storm and has been in constant development in response to industry expectations. They’ve developed from a tiny enterprise as a local technology recycler to a global leader in IT Asset Destruction. They are pushing the edge even further by re-inventing the ITAD sector with Data Destruction as a Service (DDaaS).
Stepping into the Vast Field of Technology
Sepp claims that he has always been interested in technology and innovation. One of the main reasons he pushed so hard to move to the United States was that the country has always been the world leader in technology and innovation. “I’m so fortunate to have had the opportunity to come to the United States!” he exclaims.
His degree in Electrical Engineering, along with his natural talent to build relationships, has aided in the development of TechR2 into an innovative, revolutionary technology firm focused on the lifeblood of all technology—data protection. TechR2 must be incredibly knowledgeable about contemporary technology in order to be a leader and innovator in the area. Modern technology (computers, the internet, the cloud, and so on) has become the lifeblood of all sorts of enterprises more than ever. It seems like just yesterday when massive warehouses of paper files dominated regulated industries, yet now, the entire Library of Congress may be housed on a single thumb drive.
The information that firms deal with is extremely precious. The simplicity, flexibility, and power of having all that data available at a moment’s notice are incredible, and they stimulate progress. However, those great benefits come with additional danger. As data becomes more accessible, there is more potential for it to slip into the hands of the wrong people.
Sepp claims that his career has been both well-planned and a calculated gamble. “It was always my intention to work in the industry. Making big steps in thought leadership and moulding the industry into what it is has been risky, but as any other entrepreneur will tell you, measured risks generate innovation, development, and success,” he says.
Revolutionizing Data Solutions Sector
Corporate crime, brazen hacking, and extortion assaults are on the increase and becoming worse by the day. The internet was still gaining popularity 17 years ago, and the notion that it was a passing phenomenon had finally vanished. It was obvious that it was here to stay. Unfortunately, this meant that hackers could access virtually any data they desired from the comfort of their own homes, while security and any predetermined protocols remained loose. When internet security tightened, social attacks grew more prevalent (phishing schemes to get a password, etc.).
Multi-factor authentication has become practically widespread in today’s market, leaving hackers with few straightforward choices. “The simplicity of a trash can makes it a very easy target. If a data-bearing device is thrown out, the owner of the device is more liable than the person who plucked it out of the trash! “This is the next major target of vulnerability in IT data security,” states Sepp. When gadgets are in operation, they receive a lot of attention, but they are rapidly forgotten when the power is turned off. TechR2 created the Tear-A-Byte® Process in response to this significant gap and vulnerability.
The Tear-A-Byte® technology from TechR2 has genuinely transformed the industry. It is worth noting that TechR2 employs hundreds of security measures in their products and services to fulfill NIST, GDPR, and ISO standards. TechR2 has observed that CIOs, CISOs, and IT managers who have implemented the TechR2 Tear-A-Byte® solution are given more opportunities to lead other cybersecurity projects because they have made a significant, positive impact on their organization and greatly improved data security processes and controls. In today’s world of compromised networks, collaborating with TechR2 is guaranteed to benefit all of its clients as they handle these problems.
Making Team of Highly Expert Individuals
“Assembling a diverse first-class team is my biggest responsibility and joy. I’ve always maintained that if I am the smartest person in the room, then I am in the wrong room. TechR2’s mission of protecting data is my passion and mandate,” Sepp explains. He has taken great care to surround himself with dynamic individuals that bring energy, enthusiasm, and distinctive characteristics to the table. He has also worked hard to ensure that his management staff is diverse in ideas, and he believes in teamwork.
“I don’t need to hear a chorus of agreement to every idea—an echo chamber runs contrary to innovation. If we all thought the same, then we wouldn’t be effective. We aren’t successful despite the differing opinions and ideas– we are successful because of our diversity. Whenever an idea is brought to the table, each question about it, each challenge to it, every debate chips away at it and molds it into its best possible form. If we’ve done our job well, we’re left with a pure truth that we can all get behind. We don’t need votes; we don’t need directives. A unity of purpose and a drive to be the best ensure the best decisions are made,” he says. This environment of encouraging openness and debate is something Sepp is most proud of.
Being A CEO
Sepp’s motivation promotes ongoing innovation and guarantees that consumers receive first-rate service. His daily difficulties revolve around ensuring that his team has all they need—the best—to achieve these goals. His interests include lifelong learning and self-improvement. This is applicable to TechR2’s valued team members as well as the organization as a whole.
“My greatest inspiration is my father. I was able to witness firsthand his love and passion for self-betterment, spirituality, humility, and hard work. His actions always spoke louder than his words. My father taught me that nothing is given, it is earned. He encouraged me to start my own business and instilled in me a higher purpose than financial success. I miss him dearly and the lessons he taught me continue to inspire me as well as my family,” he recollects fondly.
Empowering Employees & The Younger Generation
Recognizing a talent or ability in someone that they may not perceive in themselves, making it obvious that you want them to live up to that potential, and then trusting them to accomplish what is required in their area of influence, is what empowerment is. Empowerment is a reaction to learned helplessness and a challenge to employees to solve their own problems rather than be the hero who saves the day. “My duty as CEO is to assist in the formation of a complete vision and then supervise its execution by my highly talented staff,” Sepp declares.
He also believes that discipline should never be underestimated. Disciplined thought, in particular, is what will allow you to locate, attract, and recruit the greatest individuals to your team. It permits you to choose, against the comfort of being the brightest person in the room, to notice and grasp chances created by good fortune when they arrive. Finally, focused thought helps you to capitalize on possibilities created by poor luck and emerge ahead of others. TechR2 always promotes from within, and their whole workforce is reminded of the value of that style of discipline.
Written by Steve Sanchez.
