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Check Point Software Technologies is a global leader in cybersecurity solutions, dedicated to protecting corporate enterprises and governments worldwide. Maryanne Ndanu, Field Marketing Manager, Africa, at Check Point Software, discusses her job role, the way she deals with her‘ procrastination monkey’ and the trends she is seeing in her industry right now.

Describe your current job role.

I serve as the Field and Channel Marketing Manager for Check Point Software in Africa. I drive customer acquisition, retention

and engagement through tailored events, sponsorships, digital campaigns and channel-led initiatives. I collaborate closely with EMEA sales teams, security engineers, channel partners and distributors to grow Check Point’ s footprint across the continent and ensure that every marketing touchpoint delivers value.

What would you describe as your most memorable achievement?

Africa is not a one-size-fits-all structure – there’ s swallow and pap, nyama choma, tagine and braai – and just as the cuisines differ, so do approaches to cybersecurity selling and customer engagement. I’ m proud to have led high-impact roundtables and workshops that reflect this diversity.

Cyber Safari stands out: a three to four day experience in places like Maasai Mara, Marrakech and Sun City where security leaders step away from boardrooms for strategic dialogue and peer discussions. I’ m equally proud of our Women in Cyber Leadership Roundtables in South Africa and Kenya – spaces where women leaders share, mentor and aim to drive meaningful change in the workplaces of our industry. I’ m also focused on scaling these efforts through digital channels to reach and engage even more security leaders.

What style of management philosophy do you employ with your current position?

I believe in a leadership approach rooted in collaboration and empowerment. Ownership and outcomes are everything – I enjoy motivating collaborative teams, from sales to security engineers, to push boundaries and explore the best ways to engage and delight customers.

For me, success means learning fast, refining strategies and repeating what works until it becomes a natural part of the customer and channel experience.

What do you currently identify as the major areas of investment in your industry?

Currently, significant investments in the cybersecurity industry are being directed toward AI-driven security, hybrid security architectures and Secure Access Service Edge( SASE) solutions to safeguard businesses in an increasingly cloud-first world. The global cybersecurity market is projected to reach US $ 298.5 billion by 2028, with a compound annual growth rate( CAGR) of 9.4 % from 2022.

In Africa, where Digital Transformation is accelerating, growing attention is being placed on building unified, intelligent frameworks that simplify operations and enhance resilience. AI is playing a key role in helping teams stay ahead

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