Check Point Software Technologies is a global leader in cybersecurity solutions, dedicated to protecting corporate enterprises and governments worldwide. Maryanne Ndanu, Field Marketing Manager, Africa, at Check Point Software, discusses her job role, the way she deals with her ‘procrastination monkey’ and the trends she is seeing in her industry right now.
Describe your current job role.
I serve as the Field and Channel Marketing Manager for Check Point Software in Africa. I drive customer acquisition, retention and engagement through tailored events, sponsorships, digital campaigns and channel-led initiatives. I collaborate closely with EMEA sales teams, security engineers, channel partners and distributors to grow Check Point’s footprint across the continent and ensure that every marketing touchpoint delivers value.
What would you describe as your most memorable achievement?
Africa is not a one-size-fits-all structure – there’s swallow and pap, nyama choma, tagine and braai – and just as the cuisines differ, so do approaches to cybersecurity selling and customer engagement. I’m proud to have led high-impact roundtables and workshops that reflect this diversity.
Cyber Safari stands out: a three to four day experience in places like Maasai Mara, Marrakech and Sun City where security leaders step away from boardrooms for strategic dialogue and peer discussions. I’m equally proud of our Women in Cyber Leadership Roundtables in South Africa and Kenya – spaces where women leaders share, mentor and aim to drive meaningful change in the workplaces of our industry. I’m also focused on scaling these efforts through digital channels to reach and engage even more security leaders.
What style of management philosophy do you employ with your current position?
I believe in a leadership approach rooted in collaboration and empowerment. Ownership and outcomes are everything – I enjoy motivating collaborative teams, from sales to security engineers, to push boundaries and explore the best ways to engage and delight customers.
For me, success means learning fast, refining strategies and repeating what works until it becomes a natural part of the customer and channel experience.
What do you currently identify as the major areas of investment in your industry?
Currently, significant investments in the cybersecurity industry are being directed toward AI-driven security, hybrid security architectures and Secure Access Service Edge (SASE) solutions to safeguard businesses in an increasingly cloud-first world. The global cybersecurity market is projected to reach US$298.5 billion by 2028, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 9.4% from 2022.
In Africa, where Digital Transformation is accelerating, growing attention is being placed on building unified, intelligent frameworks that simplify operations and enhance resilience. AI is playing a key role in helping teams stay ahead of threats – but without the right strategy, complexity can become its own vulnerability.
If you could go back and change one career decision, what would it be?
Looking back, I sometimes wish I had jumped into the cybersecurity field a bit earlier. However, when I reflect on my journey – from technology training to sales programmes and now technology marketing – I see nothing to regret in how it’s unfolded.
B2B technology marketing is incredibly dynamic and engaging. Every conversation matters, and every interaction is a chance to build trust and drive meaningful change. Every chapter of my career, whether technical or strategic, has shaped the broad expertise and holistic approach to cybersecurity marketing I bring with me today.
This journey has also helped me better understand and support cybersecurity leaders – and collaborate more effectively with sales teams – by translating complex challenges into clear, meaningful engagement that drives real outcomes. And I’m still learning – with each project, campaign and conversation across this vibrant continent.
What behaviour or personality trait do you most attribute your success to and why?
I credit my success to curiosity and adaptability. I’m always asking questions, looking for better ways to do things and not afraid to challenge the status quo. I learn constantly – from customers, partners and peers. This industry is fast-paced and competitive, and I’ve found that a proactive, can-do mindset makes all the difference. I’ve learned to fail fast, make quick decisions and not dwell on mistakes. I focus on the wins, learn from the losses and adapt as I go.
As Jeff Bezos said: “What’s dangerous is not to evolve.” Staying flexible and open is what keeps me moving forward.
What’s your go-to productivity trick?
There’s a TED Talk about the ‘procrastination monkey’ by Tim Urban, and honestly, I think we’ve all been there! Sometimes, I find myself facing that monkey too. I wouldn’t call myself a full-time procrastinator, but it does sneak in occasionally. Over time, I’ve learned to queue my tasks and organise them into ‘urgent’ and ‘not-so-urgent’ categories, prioritising based on what will create the most impact. I focus on high-value activities that drive the best results. When I can, I delegate tasks and carve out time for the key activities and projects that will lead to my wins for the year. It’s about staying focused on what matters, not letting distractions take over.
What changes to your job role have you seen in the last year and how do you see these developing in the next 12 months?
This past year, I’ve leaned more into Account-Based Marketing (ABM) – getting sharper about who we speak to and how we align with sales to reach the right decision-makers. With AI, targeting and personalisation have become more precise, but more than ever, local context matters.
As a B2B marketer in Africa, I’m constantly balancing regional nuances with global tech trends. According to Gartner, 75% of B2B buyers now expect personalised interactions. That tells me the next 12 months will be about scaling personalisation without losing authenticity – especially in diverse markets like ours.
