Modern Marketing Today
  • About
  • B2B
  • B2G
  • B2C
Subscribe
No Result
View All Result
  • Digital Transformation
  • Customer Journey
  • The Experts
  • Martech Innovation
  • Events
    • Dreamforce 2019
    • 2019 Sitecore Symposium
    • Modern Customer Experience
  • Resources
Modern Marketing Today
  • Digital Transformation
  • Customer Journey
  • The Experts
  • Martech Innovation
  • Events
    • Dreamforce 2019
    • 2019 Sitecore Symposium
    • Modern Customer Experience
  • Resources
No Result
View All Result
Modern Marketing Today
No Result
View All Result
Home B2B

The Security Evangelist: Stephen Gates Explores Catalysts for Change in Info Sec Marketing

by Jenna Sindle
October 16, 2020
in B2B, Data Security, Featured, The Experts
Reading Time: 6 mins read
A A
The Security Evangelist: Stephen Gates Explores Catalysts for Change in Info Sec Marketing
Share on FacebookShare on Twitter

This month, to mark National Cyber Security Awareness Month (NCSAM), we’re featuring interviews with cybersecurity marketers. Last week we profiled Amy McCarthy, Senior Manager, Federal Marketing at FireEye. This week, we’d like to introduce you to Stephen Gates, Information Security Evangelist at Checkmarx.

Stephen is an experienced writer, blogger, and published author in the information security field. He is dedicated to conveying facts, figures, and information that brings awareness to the cybersecurity issues that all organizations and consumers face.

Read on to learn more about his career and his insights on working in marketing and the security industry.

Modern Marketing Today (MMT): How has security marketing changed since you’ve been working in the field?

Stephen GatesStephen Gates (SG): Security marketing has changed dramatically in the 25 years I’ve been in the field primarily because of the vast changes in information technology being driven by innovations like cloud, IoT, mobile devices, etc. One thing all of these components have in common is that software is the underlying catalyst, which has created a massive and rapidly-growing attack surface that needs securing.

An interesting shift I’ve seen take place, in particular, revolves around changing how we talk about the need for security. Everyone at this point knows it’s necessary, although whether they actually do something about it or not is a different story. Now, it’s more about helping organizations focus and prioritize their security efforts on what’s most important. From application security to training employees and developers to think more securely in their day-to-day operations, it’s about creating a culture of security from the top down.

MMT: How has 2020 changed your strategy and tactics?

SG: 2020 has been the year of a major marketing pivot in our industry. With no in-person tradeshows, CISO roundtables, lunch and learns, or other industry events going on in most parts of the world, nearly all marketing has gone online as a result of the pandemic. We’re seeing a big shift in how digital marketing is evolving, with companies, including Checkmarx, getting much more creative in how they’re reaching and engaging security buyers.

It’s critical to remain digitally innovative as there is much more ‘noise’ happening online now. At the end of the day, we want to connect with our customers in a manner that’s convenient and accessible regardless of the situation or environment they’re working in.

MMT: How do you cut through all the noise in the security space to connect with customers and prospects?

SG: When you’re working on market education to build awareness of a security challenge, backing claims up with facts is critical. For instance, if you’re claiming that IoT devices are vulnerable, show examples of this being the case rather than just speaking about it anecdotally. Research – whether in the form of tapping into surveys to get a temperature check on the market or having an internal security research team spread awareness on emerging risks – is essential and an important driver of marketing today.

Additionally, having a product or solution that’s proven to be effective is obviously key. Positioning the product to showcase its unique value is equally critical. When this is the case, marketing can be very successful as well.

MMT: What role does content marketing play in connecting with customers and prospects?

SG: The role of content marketing is critical to connecting with customers and prospects today. It’s the key to opening the door to many conversations. However, content marketing is changing dramatically due to shortened attention spans, new media platforms, heightened levels of competition, and a younger workforce. The content itself must be short and to the point, while be attractive, entertaining, and informative. However, if things are too short and provide little value, or too long and are somewhat exhaustive, neither will serve the intended purpose. A balance must be struck between shorter length and higher value.

MMT: Any final thoughts to share with our readers?

SG: Like anything else, security marketing will continue to evolve right along with the advances in technology and changes to our society. Nobody knows what tomorrow will bring.

Tags: CheckmarxCybersecurity MarketingNational Cyber Security Awareness MonthNCSAMSecurity Marketing
Advertisement Banner

RELATED POSTS

Amy McCarthy
B2B

FireEye’s Amy McCarthy Shares Her Strategies for Success

October 9, 2020
Grace Bergen
B2B

CrowdStrike’s Grace Bergen Shares Insights from her Career as a Cybersecurity Marketer

October 2, 2020

TRENDING NOW

  • The Automotive Industry: Tips for Navigating Niche Marketing

    The Automotive Industry: Tips for Navigating Niche Marketing

    504 shares
    Share 202 Tweet 126
  • Six Degrees of Separation: LinkedIn Style

    495 shares
    Share 198 Tweet 124
  • Tackling the Tricky World of B2G Marketing with a Creative Content Marketing Strategy

    495 shares
    Share 198 Tweet 124
  • Four Pillars of Microsoft’s Brand Transformation

    495 shares
    Share 198 Tweet 124
  • [PODCAST] The Evolution of Marketing: The Field Marketer’s Guide to Demand Gen Success

    494 shares
    Share 198 Tweet 124

CONNECT WITH US

Advertisement Banner Advertisement Banner Advertisement Banner
Advertisement Banner Advertisement Banner Advertisement Banner
Advertisement Banner Advertisement Banner Advertisement Banner
Advertisement Banner Advertisement Banner Advertisement Banner

BECOME AN INSIDER

Get Modern Marketing Today news and updates in your inbox.

Strategic Communications Group is a digital media company that helps business-to-business marketers drive customer demand through content marketing, content syndication, and lead identification.

Related Communities

Financial Technology Today
Future Healthcare Today
Government Technology Insider
Retail Technology Insider
Today’s Modern Educator

Quick Links

  • Home
  • About
  • Contact Us

Become a Sponsor

Modern Marketing Today offers content and advertising sponsorships to leading technology solution and service providers. Interested in becoming a sponsor? Contact us!

© 2021 Strategic Communications Group, Inc.
Privacy Policy      |      Terms of Service

No Result
View All Result
  • Home
  • About
  • B2B
  • B2G
  • B2C
  • Categories
    • Digital Transformation
    • Customer Journey
    • The Experts
    • Martech Innovation
    • Events
  • Contact Us