Thailand consumer digital identity specialist Code QB joins Deloitte

Consumer digital identity specialist Code QB of Thailand has joined Deloitte’s regional risk management practice, following up on similar recent deals in Southeast Asia.

The Asia Pacific risk advisory wing of global professional services giant Deloitte has continued its capacity building run in recent months with another new addition; Thailand’s Code QB, an IT solutions consultancy with a special line in Consumer Identity Access Management services. The deal follows the acquisition of Malaysian cyber consultancy SecurePath in January, and the December assimilation of Singaporean blockchain specialist Practical Smarts.

Code QB will likewise sit with Deloitte’s local Cyber division. Asia Pacific practice lead James Nunn-Price: “This acquisition in consumer digital identity further strengthens our capabilities in managing cyber everywhere so society can go anywhere. This transaction builds on Deloitte’s previous Asia Pacific investments in cyber, including the teams from SecurePath, Practical Smarts, Connected Analytics, Qubit Consulting and Converging Data Australia”

As part of the deal – the terms of which remain confidential – Code QB co-founders Pinthip Nawathamphichet, Theerasak Panyakroekkrai and Vichan Chutitaporn (former colleagues at Thompson Reuters who established the company from 2017 onwards) have all crossed to Deloitte, and will provide expert Consumer Identity Access Management (CIAM) solutions to the firm’s clients across Southeast Asia and the Asia Pacific.

The field of CIAM, Deloitte notes, has become increasingly important given the continued proliferation of digital transactions and alternative payment options, together with greater finance sector regulatory oversight and the need to ensure the privacy and confidentiality of consumer data. The information gathered, for example, allows companies to perform more stringent Know Your Customer compliance checks, while also offering opportunities as to greater brand loyalty.  

“As organisations continue on their digital transformation journey, one key imperative is to address CIAM concerns. A well-considered CIAM strategy will not only result in the implementation of solutions that will address security and control expectations, it will also improve customers’ experiences,” said Deloitte Southeast Asia Cyber Leader Thio Tse Gan, who added that Code QB’s expertise will complement Deloitte’s regional cyber and digital offerings.

“CIAM is integral to business operations, and the challenges in the areas of identity assurance, business priorities, scalability, cyber security and regulatory compliance can be daunting,” said Code QB director Nawathamphichet, who will continue in that role with Deloitte. “We are proud to join Deloitte and be part of its established cyber risk practice, and look forward to creating sustainable and future-forward solutions for our clients in the region.”