The digital certificate and Certificate Lifecycle Management (CLM) sector continues to evolve rapidly, driven by shrinking SSL/TLS certificate lifecycles and escalating security requirements. For solution providers navigating this landscape, vendor partnerships that prioritize channel enablement—not just transactional relationships—have become critical differentiators. Against this backdrop, recognition of channel leadership carries substantial weight in determining which vendors are genuinely investing in partner success.
Two Sectigo Leaders Earn CRN Channel Chiefs Recognition
CRN, a brand of The Channel Company, has named two Sectigo executives to its 2026 Channel Chiefs list: Jairo Fraile, vice president of global partner sales, and Mark Bloom, senior director of channel sales, North America. This annual designation spotlights IT vendor and distribution executives whose strategies are actively shaping channel dynamics, innovation pipelines, and partnership ecosystems across the technology sector.
The recognition arrives as Sectigo, a global provider of automated CLM solutions and digital certificates, reports 100% year-over-year growth in channel business—a metric that underscores the tangible impact of its partner-focused initiatives. Fraile and Bloom have jointly steered this expansion through strategic program enhancements designed to equip resellers, distributors, and managed service providers (MSPs) with the tools required to deliver automated certificate management at scale.
Strategic Channel Alignment in an Era of Shorter Certificate Lifecycles
Fraile emphasized Sectigo’s operational philosophy: “Sectigo is deeply committed to being a channel-friendly company, continually strengthening the programs and support that enable partners to succeed with their customers in the era of shorter SSL/TLS certificate lifecycles.” This commitment addresses a pressing industry challenge. As certificate validity periods compress—driving more frequent renewals and heightened operational complexity—organizations increasingly require automation to mitigate risk and maintain compliance.
Sectigo’s channel strategy centers on empowering partners with automated CLM capabilities, enabling them to deliver simplified, scalable solutions while preserving the localized, trusted relationships their customers value. By leveraging a diverse partner ecosystem spanning global markets, industries, and customer segments, Sectigo extends its reach without displacing the partner’s role as the primary advisor and service provider.
Momentum Fueled by Investment and Partnership Expansion
Bloom highlighted the broader organizational effort behind the recognition: “This award confirms that the work the Sectigo team is doing is tangibly moving the needle for our channel community.” The company’s recent partnership activity supports this assertion. Sectigo has secured fast-tracked inclusion to the Pax8 Marketplace and established new alliances with SCC France, Altron Security, SSS, SHI, Optiv, Guidepoint, and Bluechip Infotech—partnerships that diversify its go-to-market footprint and deepen vertical market penetration.
Jennifer Follett, Vice President of U.S. Content and Executive Editor at CRN, framed the recognition within the industry’s broader evolution: “Leaders recognized as CRN Channel Chiefs this year have demonstrated unwavering commitment to their partners and the broader IT channel. Their vision, passion, and drive for innovation continue to shape the future of our industry.”
What This Means for the CLM and Partner Ecosystem
For MSPs, VARs, and distributors evaluating CLM vendors, Sectigo’s dual Channel Chiefs recognition and triple-digit channel revenue growth signal a vendor whose business model is fundamentally aligned with partner success. As certificate management grows more complex and automation becomes non-negotiable, the ability to rely on a vendor that invests in enablement, training, and program support directly impacts a partner’s capacity to deliver value and retain customers.
The CLM market is entering a phase where operational agility and partner alignment will separate market leaders from laggards. Sectigo’s recognition by CRN—and the business results that accompany it—positions the company as a strategic option for partners seeking to build or expand their security service portfolios in a high-growth category.
About Sectigo
Sectigo is the most innovative provider of certificate lifecycle management (CLM), delivering comprehensive solutions that secure human and machine identities for the world’s largest brands. Sectigo’s automated, cloud-native CLM platform issues and manages digital certificates across all certificate authorities (CAs) to simplify and improve security protocols within the enterprise. Sectigo is one of the largest, longest-standing, and most reputable CAs with more than 700,000 customers, six combined active seats in the CA/Browser Forum and ETSI, and two decades of delivering unparalleled digital trust. For more information, visit www.sectigo.com or follow us on LinkedIn.
About The Channel Company
The Channel Company (TCC) is the global leader in channel growth for the world’s top technology brands. We accelerate success across strategic channels for tech vendors, solution providers, and end users with premier media brands, integrated marketing and event services, strategic consulting, and exclusive market and audience insights. TCC is a portfolio company of investment funds managed by EagleTree Capital, a New York City-based private equity firm.
For more information, visit thechannelco.com. Follow The Channel Company: LinkedIn, X, and Facebook
