Why We Invested in RedZone Technologies
Sometimes, we have the opportunity to eat our own cooking and invest in a space where we have direct experience. RedZone Technologies fits that mold perfectly: a security-first IT services partner helping regulated, mid-market organizations maintain resilient systems and keep their auditors satisfied. We’ve made a growth investment in RedZone — and we’re excited about what’s to come next.
Why RedZone, and why now? Two reasons. First, the demand curve for trusted, specialized managed security services continues to bend upward as threats evolve and internal teams become increasingly stretched thin. Second, RedZone already excels in expertise and service — offering Tier-2+ support, co-managed delivery, and a focus on highly regulated markets like financial services, where the stakes are high and the tolerance for downtime is zero. That’s the kind of practical, defensible value proposition we love to back.
We’re also welcoming Gary Simat as CEO, who we’ve been getting to know since the beginning of the year. Gary previously founded and led Performive, bringing the rare combination we prize: deep technical chops, financial discipline, and a culture-first mindset. The mandate is simple — scale what works, invest where customers feel it most (in support, security operations, and the partner ecosystem), and maintain RedZone’s customer-centric DNA. We believe that’s how you build a durable platform in MSSP land.
How will ParkerGale help? First, by acknowledging the hard work its leaders, James Crifasi, James Miante, and the rest of the RedZone team have brought to the business since its founding, and working with Gary Simat to build on its track record of success. Beyond that, we plan to apply the same four operating pillars we often discuss — Systems, Talent, Growth, and Product — to a services context. Systems mean better visibility into the business and customer outcomes. Talent means building a leadership bench and a real hiring machine. Growth means sharpening our product packaging, positioning, and channel partnerships. “Product” here refers to packaging services that are measurable, repeatable, and value-based, and we also have the opportunity to be a first mover in new, innovative solutions. We also plan to be acquisitive, expanding our product lines, geographies, and service competencies by adding niche businesses that align with our vision.
Underneath all of that is the thing we care about most: culture. Our north star is building products (and services) that matter and cultures that last. That shows up in how we treat teams, how we communicate with customers, and how we behave when something breaks at 2 a.m. Investing in security isn’t just about tooling; it’s about people you trust when the pager goes off. That’s the kind of company we want to build alongside the RedZone team.
Most importantly, this is about outcomes for customers and communities. When a financial services customer’s network gets hardened, a nonprofit’s member data is protected, or a trade association’s systems run cleanly through a compliance audit, the impact is tangible and local. If RedZone can shorten the distance between “potential incident” and “contained and learned from,” everyone wins. That’s a mission we’re proud to support.
To my ParkerGale colleagues, thanks for all your hard work getting this first deal done, and getting us going. Our investment team of Nori, Kevin and Niko made my life very easy on the deal side of things, and our operating team of Jim, Paul and Cass are already off to the races alongside Gary and the RedZone team.
To the RedZone team: thank you for trusting us as partners. To our customers and partners: expect the same security-first mindset, backed by additional resources. And if you’re a technologist who loves building durable systems and high-retention teams, we’d love to hear from you!