Each year, CRN announces its annual list of Channel Chiefs, which celebrates the achievements of IT channel executives and managers in supporting both channel partners and customers. ExtraHop is excited to acknowledge that one of the recipients in this year’s list is Wendy Hoey, Senior Director of Global Distribution and Channel Programs.

Wendy is no stranger to these lists. In 2014, she was named in CRN's 2014 Power 100 Women of the Channel. In 2019, she was included among the Women of the Channel Power 30 Solution Providers. Wendy serves on the Channel Company Women of the Channel advisory board.

Wendy recently joined ExtraHop and brings her 25 years of experience working in U.S. and European channel account management to grow our global distribution strategy. She shared a few insights on the IT security industry.

Why are you passionate about cybersecurity?

I have worked in cybersecurity since 1999. I have seen threats come and go, but they just keep on coming! I love working in this industry because when you work in these channels, you are working with some really smart people who want to make a difference and effect change—especially when cybercrime threatens more than wallets, for example, when ransomware groups target medical facilities.

What can you do in your role to make life easier for CISOs and their teams?

A sales channel is only as effective as how you enable it. With so many technology vendors pitching their story to the market, partners will play a key role in being advisors to CISOs and their teams. Working globally with our distribution partners, together we can help support our reseller partners and can help them navigate through these new technologies, allowing them to solidify the relationships with their clients as their trusted advisors.

What does it mean to you to be on the Channel Chiefs list?

I have been very lucky in my career and very fortunate to have worked with many of the people on this Channel Chiefs list. To be included in the listing is a great honor and I feel very humbled to be alongside these channel legends. It just makes me even more determined in my role to help and support my partners towards our joint success!

Can you share some predictions for 2023 and beyond—for the channel or otherwise?

With so many new technologies in cybersecurity, the vendors that will be successful are those that embrace channel and partnership. The executive team at ExtraHop represents some of the most channel-friendly leaders I have ever encountered in all my time working in the cybersecurity industry, and I personally believe that we have built one of the strongest channel teams I have had the pleasure of working with. That combination of leadership and channel team strength will allow ExtraHop to build the best programs and develop our joint business with our channel in 2023.