Corero Taps Channel Chief Ragusa-McBain to Bolster DDoS Market Share

LONDON, UK – January 08, 2026 – Corero Network Security, a specialist in Distributed Denial of Service (DDoS) protection, today announced a significant leadership addition, appointing celebrated channel executive Michelle Ragusa-McBain as its new Global Channel Chief and Vice President of Channel Sales. The move is a clear signal of the company's intent to aggressively scale its global partner ecosystem and accelerate growth in the fiercely competitive cybersecurity landscape.

Ragusa-McBain, a veteran with over two decades of experience shaping partner programs at industry giants like Cisco and SonicWall, will now helm Corero's worldwide channel strategy. Her appointment is designed to build on the company's existing "Partner First" commitment, a strategy formalized in September 2023 that directs all new global business through its network of resellers, service providers, and technology partners.

"Michelle is a proven force in the global channel community," said Carl Herberger, CEO at Corero Network Security, in a statement. "Her passion for partners, combined with her operational expertise, makes her the ideal leader to help us scale our channel business. I'm thrilled to welcome her to Corero as we continue to strategically invest in our partner ecosystem."

A "Partner First" Strategy Reinvigorated

Corero's strategic pivot to a channel-centric model has been underway for several years, with the company noting that the majority of its new business was already flowing through partners prior to the official 2023 strategy launch. The program was designed to be streamlined and accessible, offering what the company describes as a "solution-based" and "multi-partner engagement model" that prioritizes close alignment with partners' sales motions.

The hiring of Ragusa-McBain is seen by industry watchers as the next critical phase of this evolution. While Corero has established a solid foundation with key alliances, including a significant partnership with Juniper Networks and providing the core technology for Akamai's infrastructure protection, Ragusa-McBain is tasked with amplifying this success. Her reputation for building world-class programs is expected to bring new energy and structure, enhancing partner enablement, marketing support, and profitability.

Reflecting on her new role, Ragusa-McBain emphasized her belief in the centrality of the channel. "At the heart of every great technology company are its partners," she stated. "They're incredible humans, and no vendor succeeds without them. Partners are truly the lifeblood of an organization—and when they succeed, we all succeed." This philosophy aligns directly with Corero's stated goals of delivering clearer engagement paths and more coordinated co-selling motions to drive mutual growth.

Navigating a Dynamic DDoS Landscape

The appointment comes at a pivotal time for Corero and the broader DDoS mitigation market. The company has demonstrated strong underlying growth, with Annualized Recurring Revenue (ARR) climbing 25% to $21.6 million in the first half of 2025. This metric is particularly important as it reflects a broader industry trend and a strategic shift within Corero itself: the move toward DDoS Protection-as-a-Service (DDPaaS). This subscription-based model, while boosting long-term recurring revenue, has impacted traditional top-line figures. For instance, Corero reported a 10% decrease in revenue for H1 2025, attributing the shift to lower upfront appliance and license sales as customers increasingly adopt the DDPaaS model.

Furthermore, the company faced a 12% dip in order intake in the same period, citing weaker performance from some alliance partners and market uncertainties related to anticipated U.S. tariffs. A stronger, more engaged, and better-enabled channel under Ragusa-McBain's leadership could be the key to smoothing out these fluctuations and capturing more consistent growth. By enhancing partner capabilities and driving demand through joint marketing, Corero aims to increase its market share against both established incumbents and emerging threats. The company's high customer retention rate, which stood at an impressive 98% in H1 2025, provides a stable base from which to expand.

A Trailblazer for the Cybersecurity Channel

Beyond the strategic implications for Corero, the appointment of Michelle Ragusa-McBain is a noteworthy event for the technology channel community. She is one of the most recognized and decorated leaders in the field, bringing a wealth of accolades that underscore her influence and expertise. Her honors include being named one of CRN's Top 10 Channel Chiefs, Channel Partners Magazine's 50 Most Influential Global Channel Influencers, and CompTIA's Woman of the Year.

Her visibility and track record serve as an inspiration in an industry actively working to improve diversity in its leadership ranks. As a Board Member Emeritus of CRN Women of the Channel and a contributor to organizations like GTIA, Ragusa-McBain has long been an advocate for women in technology. Her placement at the helm of a critical growth engine for a publicly-traded cybersecurity firm highlights the value that experienced female leaders bring to the sector. Her leadership is expected to not only drive revenue but also shape a partner-centric culture built on collaboration and mutual success.

What This Means for Partners and Customers

For Corero's existing and prospective partners—from Value-Added Resellers (VARs) to Managed Security Service Providers (MSSPs)—Ragusa-McBain's arrival signals a deepened commitment from the top. The promise is one of a more robust and rewarding partnership, featuring stronger financial incentives, more effective sales and marketing tools, and a more seamless collaborative experience. Her extensive background in SaaS and enterprise IT at companies like Cisco is particularly relevant as Corero leans into its DDPaaS offerings, helping partners navigate the transition to subscription-based security services.

Ultimately, a fortified channel is expected to translate into tangible benefits for end-customers. A better-enabled partner network means wider access to Corero's real-time, automatic DDoS protection solutions, which are crucial for maintaining service availability in an era of increasingly sophisticated cyber threats. As organizations of all sizes continue to face the risk of disruptive DDoS attacks, the expertise and reach of a specialized channel become a critical component of their defense strategy. With Ragusa-McBain leading the charge, Corero is betting that its investment in partners will be its most effective weapon in the fight for a more secure and available internet.