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Identity security management platform company Delinea recently appointed channel veteran Alex Thurber to lead its global channel program. Thurber shared more details on his approach to the new role and how Delinea will support its partners in an interview with Channel Insider.
Thurber brings decades of cybersecurity and partner experience to Delinea
Thurber has spent decades in the channel, including several years founding and leading a systems integrator that was one of Checkpoint’s first US-based partners in the 90s. After time in various channel-focused roles at companies including Cisco, McAfee, and Riverbed Technology, a new opportunity found him joining Delinea earlier this month.
“I’ve always been interested in and fascinated by cybersecurity,” Thurber said. “I enjoyed my time at my last company, but the opportunity to get back into cyber was very tempting. I learned really quickly that Delinea has wonderful people and fabulous technology.”
“Alex’s arrival comes at a crucial time as we focus on building partnerships and expanding our client base to fuel Delinea’s next phase of growth,” said Chris Kelly, the president of Delinea, in a press statement. “His proven track record in channel strategy and strategic alliances fits perfectly with where we are headed. With AI playing an increasing role in how organizations defend against identity-based threats, Alex’s deep expertise will be instrumental in further elevating our partner network to deliver seamless identity security.”
Thurber has long been passionate about the importance of security not just to the channel but to the wider ecosystem of Internet-based activity. Now, as demand for AI soars and attacks are more complex than ever, Thurber says the time has never been better to join an identity-focused company like Delinea.
“Security is what keeps the Internet useful,” said Thurber. “We’re the only cloud-native platform focused on identity security.”
A simpler program with the right partners and the right goals: where Delinea will go next
Delinea was created through the merger of Thycotic and Centrify in 2021. Thurber says that the team has spent the past four years shoring up a unified platform that infuses elements of both companies’ products. Now, his team will take the same approach to a partner program he says needs to be simplified and streamlined.
“It’s time to take the same approach Delinea had for the tech to the partner program, Thurber said. “I want our team to simplify the program, as it’s currently a bit of a mix of both companies’ programs pre-merger, and then I want us to make it easy for focused, dedicated partners to work with us.”
Delinea is no stranger to working with channel partners, and Thurber notes the company will continue to support those partners who are interested in building a deeper relationship. Beyond that, Thurber’s goals include building additional enablement resources and scaling the existing program’s structure to better address the needs of partners in 2025.
“Having been a partner before, I know how important these partnerships are, and I know how crucial the enablement piece is,” Thurber said. “One of the things I like about identity is that it’s complementary to other security offerings, so our partners can leverage this in their approach to security, or partners just starting in security can work with us, too.”
Thurber says Delinea will continue to work with traditional resellers and systems integrators worldwide. It will also continue to pursue growth through cloud marketplaces, with availability to transcat on the Azure marketplace already in place. Thurber notes he knows many partners and customers are already leveraging marketplaces in their buying journeys, and he wants to ensure Delinea is taking advantage of the opportunities presented by marketplaces going forward.
The channel strategy refresh also comes as Delinea continues to innovate around AI security tooling. The company recently announced new capabilities within its machine and AI solutions providing built-in guardrails to secure AI and secure with AI-enabled technologies.
“Enterprises are entering an important phase where securing AI isn’t just a technical challenge – it’s a strategic imperative that enables the core business,” said Todd Thiemann, Principal Analyst at the Enterprise Strategy Group. “Delinea’s new machine identity and AI capabilities address the underappreciated risks created by the accelerating growth of non-human identities. Delinea is delivering a smart approach to AI that can discover and secure AI infrastructure as well as apply AI to improve its own technologies.”
“At the end of the day, a reseller wants to be able to support their customer and act as a true trusted advisor,” Thurer said. “We will enable our partners to bring a solution to those customers not just at a technical level but on a business level.”
Identity security is one of several trending technologies getting more attention thanks to AI demand. Learn about how NVISIONx and Mainline Information Systems are partnering to bring next-gen data management to more customers.
