Transforming video conferencing: The story behind Sevideca

Dallas, Texas, October 16, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Video conferencing has become an integral part of personal and professional life these days. and the importance of his safety is paramount. That’s why brothers and co-founders Joseph “Joey” Schmaeling and Francis Schmaeling II developed a much-needed solution – Sevideca – to protect and reassure its customers.

Sevideca

The creation of Sevideca goes back to the brothers’ individual experiences with video conferencing platforms. During his studies, Francis noticed a stark contrast between the video conferencing tool used for academic purposes and the one used for a telemedicine conversation with his doctor. “The discrepancy led me to investigate the security of the two different platforms and how vulnerable an online call can be,” he recalls.

Meanwhile, Joey’s journey into the world of video conferencing was informed by his previous role at a startup, where he experienced first-hand the pain points of video conferencing. As he discussed business plans and financial information on video calls, he felt uneasy about the platforms being used. The brothers recognized the urgent need for a solution that prioritized user security while enabling seamless communication.

“Our father was a serial entrepreneur throughout our lives, so we grew up in an environment that encouraged innovation and problem-solving,” says Joey. Sevideca was officially founded in 2023, but its foundation was laid in 2022 when the brothers began working with a cybersecurity company with decades of experience. This partnership was critical to the development of Defender, an endpoint protection solution, and Meet, a more secure video conferencing tool designed with user privacy in mind.

One of the standout features of the Defender is the locked access to the respective hardware, including the camera and microphone. Users receive notifications when an app requests access, allowing them to accept or decline based on verified information. It also offers a browser extension to protect against threats such as clickjacking, where malicious applications trick users into granting access to their devices.

Joey adds: “Parents especially love Defender because it protects their children during online interactions. With so many children engaging in digital spaces, safety risks are ever-present, and we are mitigating those risks.”

On the other hand, Sevideca’s Meet video conferencing platform, which has the built-in Defender tool and many other security features, makes virtual interactions as private and reliable as an in-person meeting. Regarding the idea that came first, Francis explains: “We wanted to provide our end users with a completely secure video conferencing experience. Therefore, the question itself is like asking which came first – the chicken or the egg – one does not exist without the other.”

As video conferencing becomes more popular, security vulnerabilities are also increasing. High-profile incidents such as the Zoom-bombing of a US government meeting where inappropriate content was shown during a public address underscore the urgent need for increased security measures. Additionally, Zoom faced significant backlash after the company was sued for falsely claiming to offer end-to-end encryption. “Rather than falsely claiming that it is a zero trust architecture, we have designed our products from the ground up with security as a top priority,” explains Joey.

“Many video conferencing platforms rely on third parties for backend services, exposing user information to potential security breaches. At Sevideca, we handle everything internally and thus ensure the highest level of data security,” explains Francis.

As Sevideca continues to grow, the brothers have ambitious plans for the future. “We don’t just focus on video conferencing,” reveals Francis. “We want to explore every aspect of cybersecurity, from email protection to cloud solutions.”

With increased awareness of cybersecurity risks, particularly among college graduates entering the workforce, the Schmaeling brothers believe demand for their solutions will only increase. They are dedicated to fostering a culture of security awareness among users of all ages.

“Our goal is to equip people with tools that protect their privacy and ensure safer online interactions,” affirm the co-founders. “As technology evolves, so must our solutions.”

Media contact
Name: Joseph Schmaeling

Email: [email protected]