The 2025 ‘Best Workplaces for Wellbeing’ Award Isn’t For Us. It’s For Our People.

It is with immense pride and gratitude that we share the news: Crossjoin has been officially recognized as a Best Workplace for Wellbeing in 2025 by Great Place to Work® Portugal.

While we are thrilled to receive this honour, I want to be clear about who it truly belongs to. This isn’t an award that management wins; it’s an award our people give us. My role as Head of Fulfillment is to help create an environment where our team can thrive, and this recognition, rooted in their own voices, is the most meaningful measure of our success.

What This Award Really Means

The Best Workplaces Wellbeing title goes one step further, attesting to a superior and measurable commitment to employee health and happiness. The recognition is a direct result of:

1. Sentiment Assessment: This is the average of the 18 specific wellbeing statements already included in the Great Place to Work questionnaire. This metric captures the real experience of our employees, validating whether they feel that the company supports their physical, emotional, financial and social wellbeing.
2. Practice Assessment: This is an analysis of the wellbeing-promoting practices and policies that our company implements. This demonstrates that wellbeing is not just an intention, but a strategic priority with concrete programmes in place.

The Pillars of Fulfillment at Crossjoin

“Wellbeing” and “fulfillment” can feel like abstract concepts, but at Crossjoin, they are built on concrete pillars that define our culture.

1. Growth as Wellbeing: We believe that professional fulfillment comes from challenge and development. Stagnation is the opposite of wellbeing. That’s why we invest so heavily in continuous learning through our Crossjoin Academy, mentorship programs, and exposure to diverse, high-impact projects. We give our people the tools and opportunities to grow, and in return, they deliver excellence.

2. Flexibility and Trust as Wellbeing: Our philosophy isn’t about where you work, but how you can do your best work. We operate on a foundation of trust and autonomy. This means offering the flexibility our team needs to integrate their professional responsibilities with their personal lives. By empowering our people with this responsibility, we foster a mature, respectful environment where everyone is accountable for delivering results.

3. Connection as Wellbeing: Technology connects systems, but people connect people. Despite our focus on complex technical challenges, we have never lost sight of the importance of human connection. The “team spirit” and “welcoming atmosphere” our employees highlight are a testament to a culture built on mutual support. From our team-building events to our daily collaborations, we foster a community where everyone feels they belong.

4. Impact as Wellbeing: Fulfillment is also about purpose. The work we do in Performance, Automation, and Cloud solutions is critical for our clients. Knowing that your expertise is solving a real-world problem and delivering tangible value is a powerful motivator. We are a team of problem-solvers, and the pride we take in our work is a cornerstone of our collective wellbeing.

A Personal Thank You

To every member of the Crossjoin team: thank you. Thank you for your honesty, your commitment, and your trust. You are the architects of this culture. Every project you deliver, every colleague you support, and every challenge you overcome contributes to making this a truly great place to work. This award is a reflection of you.

A Milestone, Not a Destination

We see this recognition not as a final goal, but as a welcome milestone on our ongoing journey. Our commitment is to continue listening, learning, and evolving to ensure that Crossjoin remains a place where talented people feel fulfilled, respected, and empowered to do the best work of their careers.

#BestWorkplaces #GPTWcertified #CompanyCulture #Wellbeing #Teamwork #Fulfillment #EmployerBranding #Crossjoin #PortugalTech

It’s not about breaking in; it’s about protecting what’s yours.

In today’s digital landscape, we constantly hear about data breaches and cyber-attacks. But what if you could find and fix your system’s vulnerabilities before a malicious actor does? That is the core mission of ethical hacking.

Ethical hackers (or ‘white hat’ hackers) are cybersecurity professionals who legally and safely test your systems to find weak spots. Think of them as your friendly neighbourhood digital detectives, working with you to fortify your defenses. It’s a crucial shift from a reactive to a proactive security posture.

The Four Pillars of Business Resilience

For business leaders, ethical hacking must be viewed as a strategic investment in resilience. Here’s why:

1. Proactive Protection: Stay Ahead of the Threat Finding a vulnerability during a controlled ethical hack means you can fix it on your own terms—with a planned budget and timeline. The alternative is having a real attacker find it, leading to an expensive emergency response, data loss, and operational chaos.

2. Regulatory Confidence: Beyond the Checklist In an era of regulations like NIS2 and GDPR, simply having policies in place is not enough. Ethical hacking provides tangible proof of your due diligence. It demonstrates to auditors, partners, and customers that you are actively testing and strengthening your security, allowing you to meet regulatory requirements with confidence.

3. Cost Savings: The True Price of a Breach The cost of a successful cyber-attack goes far beyond regulatory fines. It includes business downtime, legal fees, customer churn, and long-term damage to your brand reputation. Proactive testing is a high-return investment that helps prevent these costs.

4. Cybersecurity as a Growth Catalys: For leadership, cybersecurity is about enabling growth. Knowing that your digital assets have been rigorously tested and fortified provides the peace of mind needed to focus on innovation and strategy, rather than worrying about unseen threats that could derail your progress.

What Does an Ethical Hack Actually Look Like?

The process is far from the chaotic image of hacking in movies. It’s a professional, structured engagement:

Scope & Agreement: We begin by defining clear rules of engagement. You know exactly what will be tested, when, and how, ensuring the process is safe and controlled.

Controlled Testing: Our experts simulate the actions of a real attacker in a controlled environment to identify exploitable vulnerabilities in your systems, applications, or networks.

Actionable Reporting: You receive a clear, prioritized report that explains the findings in business terms. We show you the weaknesses, their potential impact, and provide clear recommendations on how to fix them.

Turn Threats into Strengths

Ultimately, the question is not if your vulnerabilities will be found, but by whom.

Don’t wait for a breach to discover your weak spots. Invest in ethical hacking and turn potential threats into resilient defences!

Our best feature isn’t in our code. It’s our mental health strategy.

The pace in the IT sector is exhilarating, but we know it demands immense focus and mental energy. That’s why we’ve placed mental wellbeing at the very center of our culture.
We don’t wait for stress to become a problem. Instead, we have actively built an environment of prevention and support. Here’s how:
Our Mental Health Pillars:

• Professional Support on Demand: We provide access to psychology consultations for the entire team through our partner, PULSO. Having a safe, professional space to manage stress and daily life is fundamental.
• A Dedicated Fulfillment Team: Our internal Fulfillment team is dedicated to monitoring and assessing risks related to workplace stress and anxiety. It’s a proactive approach focused on prevention and the early identification of needs.

Our goal is to ensure our minds are as robust and efficient as the code our Crossers write. We want everyone to feel supported to do their best work without compromising their health.
Today, we are seeing the results of this reinforced culture of prevention. For over 3 years, our team has had no registered cases of burnout, depression, or sick leave due to mental health reasons. This milestone is the ultimate proof of our ongoing commitment to wellbeing.
Mental health is the most important human hardware. Let’s take care of it.

One of the most remarkable initiatives in our integration process is the “Culture Fit” training, designed to help new talents understand and experience Crossjoin’s values, mission, and principles.

At Crossjoin, we believe that the integration of new talent is a crucial step for the success of any organization. That is why we have developed onboarding practices carefully designed to promote a welcoming, motivating environment aligned with our values.

Here, the care for each employee begins even before their first day of work. It all starts with an early phone call, where we provide the necessary information to ensure a smooth and trouble-free first day.

On the big day, we hold the “Welcome on Board” reception at our technology hub, led by our specialized WBF (Well-being Facilities) team. During this moment, we present the company’s history, values, and DNA, conduct, and policies in an engaging and personalized manner. We want each new “Crosser” – as we call our employees – to feel at home from the beginning.

In addition, we promote integration with colleagues and introduce the excellent company environment. Each new talent receives the “Welcome Kit”, which includes our “Booklet”, a brochure focused on unveiling the complexities of the company’s mindset, aiming to understand the underlying principles, values, and beliefs that guide its actions.

To ensure that everyone in the organization knows and warmly welcomes the new “Crossers”, their arrival is announced by email and in the internal newsletter.

One of the most remarkable initiatives of our integration process is the “Culture Fit” training, conducted by the People and Culture area. This training aims to help new talents understand and experience the values, mission, and principles of Crossjoin.

More than an introduction, it is an opportunity to align expectations, strengthen the organizational purpose, and cultivate a collaborative and inclusive environment from the start.

Another essential pillar of onboarding is our “Academy”, a dynamic, immersive, and intense training program that provides new employees with the necessary skills to actively contribute to the company’s projects and goals.

Talents develop Knowledge, Skills, and Attitudes (KSA) tailored through practical experiences that add value to themselves and to Crossjoin.

As part of the Academy, we hold “Crossmind” sessions every Friday, moments dedicated to listening to new employees and valuing the practical application of the values, methodologies, and tools learned. Whenever possible, we count on the presence of our CEO, who shares his experience and reinforces the organizational purpose.

These sessions are essential to ensure alignment, motivation, and productivity of each “Crosser”.

At Crossjoin, we believe that integration goes beyond practical procedures: it is a transformative experience that connects employees to the mission of improving people’s lives through technology.

Our commitment extends beyond initial integration, also reflecting in retention and continuous development. Through strategic initiatives and an inspiring environment, we ensure that each “Crosser” has opportunities to grow, evolve, and contribute meaningfully to the future of the organization.

RH Magazine 157 – March/April 2025Pg 32

STRATEGIES FOR A MOTIVATING WORKPLACE

Crossjoin Solutions was distinguished with the “Great Place to Work” certification, a recognition that reflects the company’s commitment to creating a welcoming and motivating environment.

Right from onboarding, Susana Pires, Head of People and Culture at Crossjoin, states that integration into the company is a valued moment, through the “Welcome on Board” program, which includes the team presentation, a welcome kit, and the sharing of culture and values. Furthermore, the Technology Hubs in Almada and Aveiro were designed to provide comfort and well-being, with renovated spaces and relaxation areas.

The benefits available to employees are another differentiating factor. The company offers a health plan extendable to the family, free access to the gym, an annual profit-sharing model, bonuses based on objectives, and partnerships for free consultations. Employee recognition is also a priority, with initiatives such as offering gift vouchers on birthdays and holding seasonal events, like Christmas and Summer celebrations.

The “Great Place to Work” certification also emerges as a reflection of the commitment to the quality and safety of Crossjoin’s processes, ensured by ISO9001 and ISO27001 certifications.

«These certifications guarantee the excellence of our processes and information security, reinforcing the trust of our employees and clients,» adds Susana Pires.

In addition to the welcoming and well-being initiatives, Crossjoin invests in the continuous growth of its teams through the Academy, a dynamic program of practical and immersive training. «The Academy helps new employees acquire skills and understand the company culture, ensuring a smoother integration,» explains the manager.

With a presence in several countries, Crossjoin promotes various initiatives that strengthen the sense of belonging among employees, regardless of their location.

Internal events play a fundamental role in this strategy. The Christmas celebrations, which include family participation, the Summer events, and the monthly happy hours – held both in person and remotely – allow maintaining proximity between teams.

To reinforce transparency and strategic alignment, the company also organizes quarterly kick-offs, in which leadership shares updates with all employees.

Daily communication is equally a priority. Crossjoin maintains active channels, such as the internal chat “Crossers Share Room” and an intranet accessible to the entire team. Furthermore, daily meetings and online workrooms ensure fluid interaction between teams distributed across different countries.

Susana Pires adds that «in addition to the focus on work, we also promote solidarity actions that strengthen the bonds between employees and the community».

Crossjoin has a strong commitment to the personal development of its employees, promoting initiatives that contribute to their well-being and work-life balance.

The company provides free consultations in areas such as Nutrition, Psychology, legal and financial support, as well as psychosocial support, allowing employees to have access to specialized advice whenever necessary.

In addition to all this, the company adopts a flexible work model, which can be 100% in-person, hybrid, or remote, depending on the requirements of each role. In the Technology Hubs, the investment in infrastructure and comfort ensures an environment conducive to productivity and well-being.

Human Resources Portugal – Online

In today’s digital landscape, where cloud computing, automation, and interconnected systems reign supreme, organizations face a rapidly growing and often overlooked security challenge: managing non-human identities (NHIs).

NHIs, including service accounts, API keys, tokens, certificates, and robotic process automation (RPA) bots, are essential for modern business operations. They enable ever-increasing machine-to-machine communication, automation, and cloud-based service integrations.

However, their proliferation and often inadequate security practices create a significant attack surface that CISOs and IT managers must consider.

Our security offerings — Application Security (DevSecOps) and Threat and Vulnerability Assessment — include robust NIH (Non-Human Identity) identification and analysis capabilities.

At Crossjoin Solutions, we routinely address NIH in diverse customer projects, spanning areas from performance optimization to information security. Committed to protecting the credentials entrusted to us, we have developed proven and effective methods to secure NIH usage. Our team is ready to share these best practices to enhance your security measures and build confidence in the safe handling of NIH.

Research indicates that machine identities now outnumber human identities by factors ranging from 45:1 to 92:1. It is the iceberg underneath. Key factors driving this proliferation include:

• Cloud Adoption: Cloud migration introduces a new identity management paradigm with cloud-specific NHIs, such as service principles and roles.

• Automation and DevOps: Automation and DevOps rely on NHIs to perform tasks and access resources efficiently.

• API-Driven Architectures: Microservices and APIs depend on NHIs to enable seamless data exchange and component interaction.

Neglecting NHI security can have serious consequences. Attackers increasingly target NHIs, which often have more extensive access than human accounts. A study by Entro Labs (*) found that 100% of audited environments had secrets with excessive permissions, creating unnecessary exposure.

• Evolving Threat Landscape: Attack techniques are constantly evolving, requiring organizations to proactively secure NHIs.
• Compliance and Regulatory Requirements: Frameworks such as GDPR, HIPAA, and Sarbanes-Oxley mandate strict identity and access controls, including for NHIs. Failing to meet these standards can result in fines and reputational harm.
• Business Impact of NHI Compromise: A compromised NHI can lead to data breaches, service interruptions, financial loss, and reputational damage.

According to “The State of Non-Human Identity Security” by the Cloud Security Alliance, common issues such as stale accounts, poor credential rotation, and lack of environment segregation significantly heighten risk.

(taken from “The State of Non-Human Identity Security”, Cloud Security Alliance)

At Crossjoin, enhancing information security is an ongoing commitment. We employ a wide range of controls, from comprehensive policies to customized technical solutions for access and identity management. Always keep in mind the human factor: Promote regular awareness sessions on handling NIH within projects.

The highest priority steps to establish a strong NIH Management foundation:

• Gain Comprehensive Visibility: Conduct thorough audits and maintain an up-to-date inventory of all NHIs across the enterprise, including those in cloud environments, on-premise systems, and third-party applications.
• Implement Robust Lifecycle Management: Automate processes for the creation, management, and de-provisioning of NHIs, ensuring permissions are revoked when no longer needed and ownership is clearly defined.
• Prioritize Privileged Access Management (PAM): Implement a PAM solution to enforce the principle of least privilege, automate credential rotation, and implement just-in-time (JIT) access for NHIs.

Then, further steps towards robust NIH protection are:

• Remediate Common Issues: Address issues such as stale accounts, inadequate credential rotation, and environment segregation.
• Establish a Strong Governance Framework: Integrate NHI-specific policies into broader governance frameworks with clear ownership, approval workflows, and naming conventions.
• Embrace Zero Trust Architecture: Continuously validate NHI access based on contextual factors like time, location, and behavior.
• Encourage Collaboration and Education: Promote a culture of shared NHI security responsibility by educating developers, IT staff, and business units on secure practices and fostering cross-team collaboration.

By prioritizing NHI management and implementing these steps, CISOs and IT managers can mitigate the risks associated with these invisible actors and protect their organizations’ critical assets.
Contact Crossjoin Solutions to discuss the best strategies for managing Non-Human Identities in your organization. Our team is ready to guide you through effective solutions tailored to your unique needs.

(*) 2025 State of Non-Human Identities and Secrets in Cybersecurity – Entro Labs

Are you an IT Rising Star?

What do we offer candidates?

At Crossjoin, you’ll be part of a diverse team of specialists who will support you in your development, in a collaborative and healthy environment, with clear learning and growth goals.

What do our employees say?

Crossjoin is the perfect place to demonstrate resilience, boldness and passion for work. The company’s culture and values encourage learning and growth, providing an ideal environment in which to evolve quickly. Every day is a challenge, which keeps me constantly motivated and stimulated. ‘Perform to perfection’ is not just Crossjoin’s motto, it’s the reality of our daily lives.

In line with our mission, the Robotic Process Automation offer is being developed to streamline the most repetitive tasks that are done by humans. This solution will save a lot of time and can be used for other areas within the organization where it is possible to add value. It is estimated that 30% of the tasks we do on a daily basis can be automated, so it is possible to make companies’ business processes more efficient. This technology is not intended to replace the role played by people, but to create time for other tasks. Our aim is to ensure that these three dimensions work in harmony to guarantee an optimal solution.

What is recruitment like?

We are looking for the best talent to join our Academy. While we share with you the mission, vision and values that fuel our Crossers, we will assess your logical thinking, your analytical skills and your passion for technology, in a dynamic, challenging and out of the box process.

What do we look for in candidates?

We are looking for someone who is passionate about technology, has a Crosser spirit, is quick to adapt to new methodologies, tools and technologies, and a Joiner who respects our values and culture. Join this Great Place to Work and start building your future.

JOIN OUR RISING STARS PROGRAM

Have you completed a master’s degree in Computer Engineering or are you about to finish it? Are you passionate about technology? Do you face challenges without fear? Then you could be our next IT Rising Star. Our Rising Stars program seeks to challenge you, giving you all the tools you need to exponentially boost your growth at Crossjoin.

At Crossjoin’s Crossmind Academy you’ll have space to learn and develop your skills

Firstly, you will join our Crossmind Academy: a space for sharing knowledge, acquiring and enhancing your soft skills and technical competencies, serving as a smooth transition between the academic and professional worlds. Each plan is tailor-made according to your profile, so that you can respond to the challenges you face on a daily basis and have greater confidence and security when you join Crossjoin’s projects. All this will be accompanied by a mentor who will support you, guide you and give you the foundations to build your path. You’ll have room to make mistakes, excel and challenge yourself.

We give you the confidence and competence to meet any challenge

After your time at the academy, you will be integrated into our Competence Center, a large multidisciplinary team – encompassing the areas of Performance, IT Administration and Software Engineering and Architecture – which responds to our clients’ various challenges. Here you can count on professionals who are specialists and multifaceted in various technologies and tools, where there is a spirit of mutual help and unity among all members, thus contributing to the success of projects. This environment will allow you to grow as an IT professional, giving you the skills and confidence to face any challenge.

At Crossjoin you can make a difference!

With technology, we improve our customers’ daily lives as much as we improve people’s lives! You’ll be able to see the impact of your work with clients, because every millisecond counts as technology improves our lives.

We invest in your growth

This mindset allows us to add value to our clients by investing heavily in the continuous training and development of young talent, because we believe that investing in their growth not only strengthens our team, but also enables them to face the dynamic challenges of the professional world with resilience and adaptability.

Well-being and professional success

In addition to training, we are dedicated to promoting the well-being of our employees, providing a collaborative and motivating work environment. We are committed to cultivating an organizational culture where innovation and excellence are encouraged, ensuring that each Crosser is prepared not only to respond to present needs, but also to lead future transformations in the technology sector.

Talent Portugal- Great Employers

Would you like to start a project with us? Contact us via the contact form or e-mail. Or if you want to be part of a leading team in the field of Performance, send us your application via our website www.crossjoin.pt or search for us on LinkedIn.

Holistic approach to security makes all the difference

Turning challenges into opportunities is what we do every day.