When Jay Soo started Raddish Technology Sdn Bhd in 2014, the conversation around cybersecurity in Malaysia was still in its infancy. Many businesses saw it as an optional expense, rather than a necessity. 

Fast-forward more than a decade, and the company has become a trusted partner safeguarding critical sectors ranging from airports and seaports to universities and energy providers like Tenaga Nasional Berhad (TNB).

In 2025, the company’s journey reached a new milestone with a Golden Bull Award win - an achievement that recognises not only growth and resilience, but also its role as an industry authority in cybersecurity.

A shield for the digital age

At its core, Raddish Technology helps organisations protect the investments they’ve made in technology. 

“Our role is to make sure technology works properly and securely,” explained Soo, co-founder and business lead. “We reduce the chances of businesses being brought down by hackers.”

The company advises on strategy, deploys solutions from global vendors, and integrates systems into clients’ daily operations. Its job is not just about selling security products, but configuring defences and ensuring continuity in a world where attacks evolve by the second.

Recognition of a journey

Winning the Golden Bull Award is a proud milestone for the team. “It reflects our industry recognition,” said Soo. “For me as a co-founder, it shows that we’re heading in the right direction and making an impact.”

For a company that began with fewer than a handful of staff, growing to around 50 employees today is an achievement in itself. But the award also signifies trust - the most critical currency in the cybersecurity world.

Trials that forged strength

Like most SMEs, Raddish Technology’s early years were shaped by the typical challenges of talent shortages and cashflow struggles. 

“There was a lot of trial and error,” Soo opined. “We made mistakes, but each one was a chance to improve our platform, our workflow, and our people.”

The pandemic in 2020, however, was the ultimate stress test. “Suddenly, all activities stopped. Expenses continued, salaries had to be paid. Many in the industry shut down or gave up,” he recalled. “But I made sure none of my staff left. We went through it together, and none of my colleagues resigned, even a year after. That’s what made us stronger.”

For Soo, the lesson was clear: in cybersecurity, technology matters, but people matter more. “Before revenue and growth, it’s about people first. Always,” he said.

Staying ahead of hackers

Cybersecurity is an arms race with no finish line. Soo likened it to a biological analogy: “If viruses evolve over months or years, cyber threats evolve by the second. Every hour, every minute, there’s a new variant of attack.”

To keep pace, Raddish Technology studies hacker behaviours and motives. Some pursue financial gain, others seek notoriety, while a few simply want to disrupt or shame. 

“We use AI technology to fight AI-driven attacks,” Soo explained. “But behind all the technology, human skill and talent remain key. You must know the enemy and stay one step ahead.”

Looking ahead, he expects attacks to grow more sophisticated, with ransomware continuing to dominate. “Definitely, in three to five years, we’ll see new tactics or brand-new attacks we’ve never studied before. Hackers evolve, so we must evolve too.”

Bridging the SME gap

While large corporations and banks are required to comply with strict security standards, many SMEs remain exposed. 

“Smaller businesses often don’t see the need until they’ve been hit,” said Soo. “They don’t have chief information officers or chief technology officers to set proper guidelines, so security becomes an afterthought.”

For Raddish Technology, this gap is both a challenge and an opportunity. With 70 percent of Malaysia’s economy built on SMEs, raising awareness is critical. 

“It’s like insurance. Many think they don’t need it, until it’s too late. But cybersecurity is about continuity. Without it, a single attack can cripple a business.”

Culture of continuous learning

Within Raddish Technology, Soo emphasises a culture of curiosity and growth. “In cybersecurity, yesterday’s knowledge won’t last forever. If you stop learning, you’ll fall behind,” he stressed. His message to his team is simple: never be self-satisfied, never stop learning.

This commitment extends outward, too. Raddish Technology collaborates with universities to train students in defensive skills. The company regularly mentors interns and shares real-world insights through talks and programmes. “The young generation is our future,” he added. “If we don’t invest in them, we can’t expect the talent pool to grow.”

Towards Malaysia’s own cyber solutions

Beyond commercial growth, Soo has a broader vision: a Malaysia less reliant on foreign technology. 

“Too often we depend on third-party or overseas solutions. It’s about time we develop our own security products and databases to protect critical national assets,” he said.

He hopes to see Malaysian organisations collaborate more deeply on information sharing and incident response. “If we can pool our data and expertise, we can reduce the impact of hacker activities. We need our own tech, our own defensive layers.”

Advice to entrepreneurs

For aspiring entrepreneurs, Jay’s advice is grounded in honesty. “I won’t call it advice, just experience. This industry requires patience and skill. Many young people jump in but leave after a few years because it’s demanding. If you want to succeed, be prepared to commit long-term.”

He also urges persistence. “There will always be setbacks, but each mistake is a lesson. Keep learning, keep improving.”

Explore how Raddish Technology can safeguard your business at https://raddishtechnology.com/.

This series of Business Stories is in collaboration with the SME100 award.

The views expressed here are those of the author/contributor and do not necessarily represent the views of Malaysiakini.