Channel Leadership Driving MSP Growth in Cybersecurity
The cybersecurity industry’s partner ecosystem continues to evolve rapidly, with managed service providers (MSPs) and traditional channel partners seeking platforms that balance advanced threat protection with operational efficiency. As cyber threats grow more sophisticated and multitenant environments become increasingly complex, the vendors that succeed are those investing not just in technology, but in the strategic enablement of their channel networks.
CRN, a brand of The Channel Company, has recognized this shift by honoring channel executives who demonstrate exceptional commitment to partner success. Among the 2026 CRN Channel Chiefs are two leaders from Barracuda Networks: Michelle Hodges, Senior Vice President of Global Channels and Alliances, and Geoff Thompson, Vice President of Managed Services Strategy and Development. Their inclusion on this prestigious annual list underscores Barracuda’s strategic focus on empowering partners through innovation, streamlined operations, and enhanced profitability.
Strategic Vision Transforming Partner Capabilities
According to Geoff Waters, Chief Revenue Officer at Barracuda, Hodges and Thompson exemplify forward-thinking leadership that is redefining partner possibilities. Their work focuses on transforming how both traditional partners and MSPs deliver security services—elevating service quality while expanding profitability and fostering platform-wide innovation.
This leadership approach aligns with broader industry trends where channel partners require more than product access; they need platforms designed specifically for their business models, with features that address operational complexity, billing automation, and scalable security delivery.
BarracudaONE Platform: Built for MSP Efficiency
Central to Barracuda’s partner strategy is the AI-powered BarracudaONE cybersecurity platform, which unifies layered defenses with intelligent detection and response capabilities. The platform addresses a critical challenge facing MSPs: how to maximize protection and strengthen cyber resilience across diverse client environments without creating operational bottlenecks.
BarracudaONE enables partners to accelerate incident response, streamline configuration management, and demonstrate measurable security program value to their customers. This integrated approach helps partners reduce risk exposure, respond faster to evolving threats, and maintain proactive security postures across their client base.
MSP-Specific Features Driving Operational Excellence
Several BarracudaONE capabilities are engineered specifically for MSP workflows. Bulk remediation for email threats allows providers to address security incidents at scale across multiple client accounts simultaneously. PSA integrations automate billing and invoicing processes, reducing administrative overhead and improving revenue recognition accuracy. Simplified account management features help MSPs efficiently secure multitenant environments while optimizing operational workflows.
These purpose-built functionalities enable MSPs to drive scalable, profitable growth while maintaining high security standards—a combination increasingly critical as small and medium-sized businesses face the same sophisticated threats as larger enterprises.
Recognition Reflecting Industry Impact
Jennifer Follett, Vice President of U.S. Content and Executive Editor at CRN, noted that the 2026 Channel Chiefs demonstrated unwavering commitment to their partners and the broader IT channel. Their vision, passion, and innovation drive continue shaping the industry’s future.
For Barracuda Networks, this recognition validates a partner-first approach that prioritizes practical innovation over feature accumulation. As cybersecurity complexity increases and MSPs become essential security delivery vehicles for businesses of all sizes, channel leadership that understands operational realities while pushing technological boundaries becomes a competitive differentiator.
The CRN 2026 Channel Chiefs list is available at www.CRN.com/ChannelChiefs.
About Barracuda
Barracuda is a leading global cybersecurity company providing complete protection against complex threats for all size business. Our AI-powered BarracudaONE platform secures email, data, applications, and networks with innovative solutions, managed XDR and a centralized dashboard to maximize protection and strengthen cyber resilience. Trusted by hundreds of thousands of IT professionals and managed service providers worldwide, Barracuda delivers powerful defenses that are easy to buy, deploy and use.
Barracuda Networks, Barracuda, BarracudaONE, and the Barracuda Networks logo are registered trademarks or trademarks of Barracuda Networks, Inc. in the U.S., and other countries.
