AvePoint, Palo Alto Networks Vet to Lead Barracuda Channel Partners Globally
New programs and features for partners will be coming.
![Select a Hire Select a Hire](https://eu-images.contentstack.com/v3/assets/blt10e444bce2d36aa8/blt24765de8c121bcff/65240fe1a7fcf1c0401d0a8c/Select-a-Hire.jpg?width=700&auto=webp&quality=80&disable=upscale)
Shutterstock
Channel Futures: Why did you want to take this role with Barracuda?
Barracuda’s Jason Beal: I took on this role at Barracuda for several reasons. I was anxious to return to cybersecurity and work with an organization that is committed to protecting the people, as well as the data and applications that drive productivity and collaboration. I wanted to work for a channel-centric, channel-first company. It provides me with an opportunity to take on a global role, working with a tremendously talented leadership team to architect a next-generation channel strategy and program that will enable partners to influence buyers, and take advantage of new and emerging routes to market that will drive business growth. [Also], the company culture, market influence and a strong leadership team with a deep bench of expertise in cybersecurity.
CF: How will your prior experience with AvePoint, Palo Alto Networks, Ingram Micro and more come into play in this new role?
JB: During my career, I’ve had the honor and pleasure of working with thousands of partners and distributors around the globe, listening and learning about the challenges and opportunities they face. This has helped me to better understand what partners really need to be able to successfully influence the buyer. I’m looking forward to using this knowledge to help build a next-generation strategy for partner enablement at Barracuda.
Barracuda has traditionally focused on small to midmarket enterprise, or SME space. Now that threat actors have democratized attacks on SMEs, it is incredibly important to find new and innovative ways to thwart the efforts of bad actors. I am looking forward to also using my experience in this area to ensure we have the programs and solutions in place to achieve this.
CF: What’s your take on Barracuda’s channel strategy and partner program? Any changes needed?
JB: I am really excited about the opportunity to work for a channel-first organization, and it’s been great to watch Barracuda’s channel strategy evolve over time. It’s really never been a better time to be in the channel and I am looking forward to the opportunity to work with the Barracuda team to further develop the program to align with the needs of the modern partner.
CF: What’s at the top of your to-do list?
JB: First and foremost, I am here to listen and learn from Barracuda’s partners and distributors. I am looking forward to meeting face to face with them to learn about the challenges and opportunities they face that are unique to their vertical markets and geographies. The voice of the partner has always been a guiding force in Barracuda’s channel strategy and I don’t expect that to change.
CF: Will you be building a new/updated partner program? If so, what will be the process and timeline?
JB: Over time, Barracuda has demonstrated flexibility in updating and refining its partner program to meet the evolving needs of the channel. Given the changing dynamics of the channel, I expect that new programs and features will be added to the program in the coming year as we identify new and emerging areas in which we can help our partners succeed.
CF: What are Barracuda partners’ biggest pain points and how will you help solve those?
JB: Among our partners’ biggest pain points [are] helping their customers align with mega trends including digital transformation, distributed workforces, and the ongoing cybersecurity talent shortages and resource constraints. At Barracuda, we exist to protect and support our customers in the most complete and lasting manner as possible. With the proliferation and democratization of attacks on the SMEs, we must work with our partners in a way that makes it simple to engage, and provide solutions that are easy to deploy and use.
CF: What are Barracuda partners’ biggest pain points and how will you help solve those?
JB: Among our partners’ biggest pain points [are] helping their customers align with mega trends including digital transformation, distributed workforces, and the ongoing cybersecurity talent shortages and resource constraints. At Barracuda, we exist to protect and support our customers in the most complete and lasting manner as possible. With the proliferation and democratization of attacks on the SMEs, we must work with our partners in a way that makes it simple to engage, and provide solutions that are easy to deploy and use.
Barracuda channel partners have a new global leader. The company has hired Jason Beal, previously AvePoint’s first-ever channel chief, as its new vice president of worldwide partner ecosystems.
Barracuda’s Jason Beal
Beal left AvePoint in July. At Barracuda, he’ll lead global channel strategy and development. He’ll have a strong focus on driving growth across the Barracuda global partner ecosystem.
Beal will also help Barracuda channel partners further capture opportunities in the market with its technology solutions.
Beal brings more than 20 years of channel leadership experience, with a focus on channel ecosystem launch, and development and expansion in cybersecurity businesses. At AvePoint, he focused on implementing global channel strategy and their first global partner program.
Prior to AvePoint, Beal held channel leadership roles at both Palo Alto Networks and Ingram Micro.
Focusing on Growth Acceleration
Chris Ross is Barracuda’s CRO.
“We are happy to welcome Jason to Barracuda,” he said. “Bringing Jason into this role is a key part of our ongoing commitment to invest in our channel partner go to market (GTM). We’re looking forward to his focus on continuing the growth acceleration across our partner ecosystem and to drive innovation within our business model. He will also play an integral role in continuing to build and grow a world class channel go-to-market strategy and partner program for our business.”
Beal said he looks forward to the impact he can bring to the team as Barracuda executes its growth plans, while meeting the needs of partners and customers with its integrated suite of advanced security solutions.
This month, Barracuda expanded its European data protection reach to Sweden and Switzerland. This means customers can now choose from 13 Azure regions for the storage of data backed up via cloud-to-cloud backup.
See our slideshow above for our Q&A with Beal on his plans at Barracuda.
Want to contact the author directly about this story? Have ideas for a follow-up article? Email Edward Gately or connect with him on LinkedIn. |
About the Author(s)
You May Also Like