DirectDefense Taps Cybersecurity Expert and Entrepreneur Patty Wright as Inaugural Advisory Board Member

Advisory board will support the company’s ambitious growth trajectory on the heels of strong financial performance in 2023

DENVER--(BUSINESS WIRE)--DirectDefense, a leading information security services company, today announced the formation of its advisory board, which will be composed of industry experts with proven experience in scaling cybersecurity businesses to support the company's growth trajectory. Cybersecurity expert and serial entrepreneur Patty Wright will be the board’s inaugural strategic advisor with a focus on enhancing DirectDefense’s service delivery, operational efficiency, and scalability. Wright will also play an active role in interviewing and expanding the advisory board, which will comprise top talent and executives from the industry.

“Patty brings exceptional experience from successfully building and leading high-performing security teams for industry giants and startups alike,” said Beau Shahriary, Chief Operating Officer of DirectDefense. “Beyond her expertise in cybersecurity and professional services, Patty possesses a deep understanding of people dynamics. She offers a comprehensive perspective, from backend operations to hiring practices and service delivery methods. Her insights will be instrumental as we pursue our ambitious growth trajectory.”

As a widely recognized leader and innovator in cybersecurity and information technology, Wright has inspired and paved the way for other women entering the security industry and those aspiring to leadership roles in information technology. She is a serial entrepreneur, having been involved in six technology startups, two of which were acquired by large technology companies and one of which led to an initial public offering.

Most recently, Wright was Vice President of CX Product Management, Security and Collaboration at Cisco where she was responsible for developing leading-edge security services. Previously, Wright held senior executive roles with some of the world’s most recognized high-tech and cybersecurity companies, including Symantec, Rapid7, @stake, Bishop Fox, and Neohapsis.

A proven product and services leader, Wright is known for her ability to consistently grow early-stage professional services organizations into thriving, high-value, profitable businesses that achieve the highest customer satisfaction ratings and strong year-over-year growth. She has a track record of understanding her clients’ business challenges and their evolving requirements. Her unique strength is in being able to both define a winning transformation strategy for growth and scale, while also being able to define rapid and effective execution plans to achieve it.

As DirectDefense scales its business, the advisory board will provide outside perspective on the evolution of services and delivery within the cybersecurity industry. This move demonstrates the company’s commitment to excellence and continuous improvement and comes on the heels of a strong performing year.

In 2023, DirectDefense recorded a remarkable 37% percent year-over-year increase in sales, 55% revenue growth with existing customers, and has seen overall revenue grow by 78% since 2021. This significant growth reflects the company’s investment in and the market demand for its managed security services which had 56% revenue growth in 2023, a 95% retention rate and 120% expansion rate with existing customers. DirectDefense also achieved record-breaking sales via the channel with a 20% increase in partner sales and a close rate of 50% for partner opportunities. Channel and alliance partner deals represented 35% of the company’s revenue in 2023.

Last year, DirectDefense received the most industry awards and accolades in company history including CRN IoT Innovators, CRN MSP 500 / Managed Security 100, CRN Solution Provider 500 / Fast Growth 150, CRN Channel Chiefs, CRN Women of the Channel, Inc. Best Work Places and the Fortress Cybersecurity Award. In the first quarter of 2024, the company has once again been named to the CRN MSP 500 / Managed Security 100 list and the CRN Channel Chiefs list.

Follow DirectDefense
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/directdefense/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/Direct_Defense
Blog: https://www.directdefense.com/resources/blog/

About DirectDefense

DirectDefense provides enterprise risk assessments, penetration testing, ICS/SCADA security services, and 24/7 managed security services for companies of all sizes. Focused on building security resiliency, the firm offers comprehensive security testing services with specialization in application security, vulnerability assessments, penetration testing, and compliance assurance testing. Its team of highly talented consultants has worked with the majority of the Fortune 100 companies, in industries such as power and utility, gaming, retail, financial, media, travel, aerospace, healthcare, and technology. More information can be found at www.directdefense.com.