ForeScout Names Former F5 Channel Leader Its New Chief

**Editor’s Note: Click here to see which channel people were on the move in January.**

Network security firm ForeScout Technologies has appointed Tom Evans as its new vice president of channels for the Americas.

In his new position, Evans will be responsible for all aspects of channel sales and distribution with a focus on growing ForeScout’s channel program to address demand for the company’s products. He previously was F5’s senior director of channel sales and distribution for the Americas.

ForeScout said it is continuing to expand its talent base to accommodate rapid growth and market opportunities. Evans will “strengthen current channel partnerships and establish new ones at scale,” the company said.

“Our company continues to grow along with the need for advanced network security solutions, and our channel partners represent an important part of that growth,” said Brian Gumbel, ForeScout’s vice president, Americas. “We were looking for a leader with the experience and talent to steward our channel program, and we believe we have found that in Tom.”

With more than 2,000 customers in more than 60 countries, ForeScout offers the ability to see devices when they connect to the network, control them, and orchestrate information sharing and operation among disparate security tools.{ad}

In a Q&A with Channel Partners, Evans talks about his plans for ForeScout’s channel program, security trends and other company issues.

Channel Partners: How to do you plan to accelerate ForeScout’s channel program? Are you planning changes?

Tom Evans: I’ve learned what partners want and need to get excited about a channel program. I plan to leverage that experience with the many already established positives to evolve into a world-class channel program that partners want. As this is day two for me, I am asking a lot of questions and learning a lot about the team and the current program. A successful channel program will always look to improve as the industry changes.

CP: What are the latest trends in security and how do ForeScout’s products fit into those trends?

TE: Every device on your network is a potential attack or reconnaissance point that must be discovered and secured. These myriad devices fall into three categories: managed devices, unmanaged devices [and] IoT devices. ForeScout orchestrates systemwide security management to make formerly disjointed security products work as one.

CP: Is security related to IoT a growing area for business? How will ForeScout capitalize on opportunities?

TE: It took 25 years for the world to get to 5 billion connected devices, but with the explosion of the IoT we’ll see around 30 billion by 2020 — an entirely new approach to security is required. Device proliferation and IoT deployments are easy entrances for cybercriminals if not detected and protected. ForeScout is well positioned to own the burgeoning IoT security market.

CP: What do you most want to accomplish in your first year with ForeScout?

TE: I’m excited to learn more about the team so I can fully understand where we need to invest and provide support to execute on (President and CEO Mike DeCesare’s) vision of having the best channel program in the industry. We need to enable our partners and distributors to become an extension of our team so we can succeed together.