Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, July 27th, 2026, CyberNewswire

Security Risk Advisors has announced that Joe Cicero has been recognized as a finalist in CRN’s second annual Best of the Channel Awards under the prestigious category of Best Channel Visionary of the Year. CRN, a division of The Channel Company, honors individuals and teams who demonstrate exceptional leadership and innovate within the IT channel. This recognition underscores Joe’s pivotal role in promoting channel innovation and excellence throughout his career.

Cicero’s selection as a finalist is a testament to his relentless dedication to integrating marketing, alliances, and sales into a cohesive growth strategy. By building a structured, partner-led Co-Sell model in collaboration with Microsoft, he has significantly influenced more than $10 million in services revenue. His innovative approach has not only driven substantial growth but also enhanced the partner-sourced pipeline, showcasing his commitment to channel success.

The CRN Best of the Channel Awards serve to recognize individuals and organizations who exemplify forward-thinking strategies and notable contributions to the industry. This year, the winners will be announced at the Best of the Channel Awards Gala scheduled for October 13 in Atlanta, which follows The Channel Company’s XChange Best of Breed Conference.

In his role as Chief Marketing Officer at Security Risk Advisors, Joe Cicero spearheads various marketing strategies, brand initiatives, and partnership programs aimed at achieving clarity, credibility, and measurable outcomes. With a robust background as a former Microsoft security team member, he has adeptly transformed SRA’s alliance model into a unified growth engine. This transformation has facilitated deep go-to-market alignment with critical Microsoft Security products, including Sentinel and Defender.

Under Cicero’s leadership, Security Risk Advisors has progressed into the Microsoft Intelligent Security Association (MISA) and achieved the MXDR Verified designation. This has allowed the firm to broaden its joint solution offerings, particularly across enterprise markets, showcasing a seamless integration of security measures tailored to meet the evolving demands of modern businesses.

Cicero’s innovative mindset bridges technical execution with strategic foresight, enabling the company to implement scalable co-sell strategies that yield high-value results for their joint clientele. His efforts highlight the importance of cohesive collaboration among stakeholders, which is crucial in an ever-evolving tech landscape.

Jennifer Follett, Vice President and Executive Editor of CRN, emphasized the significance of the finalists. "The nominees for the CRN Best of the Channel Awards represent the pinnacle of achievement in the IT channel," she stated. "Their engaging strategies, exceptional leadership, and unwavering dedication not only benefit their partners but also elevate the industry as a whole. We are thrilled to honor them for their remarkable contributions and enduring impact within the field."

Cicero’s transformative journey at SRA has caught the attention of industry leaders, who have praised his ability to unify various departments into a single, accountable growth engine. Tim Wainwright, CEO of Security Risk Advisors, remarked, “Joe quickly distinguished himself as a transformative leader, unifying marketing, alliances, and sales into a single, accountable growth engine. He doesn’t just see where the market is going – he builds the systems necessary to get there.”

Similarly, Maria Thomson, Director at MISA, recognized Joe’s dedication to evolution within the channel. “His focus on scalable co-sell and unified go-to-market strategies reflects an insightful understanding of how solution providers must adapt in a world driven by AI and platforms,” she added.

Joshua Shea, Senior PDM at Microsoft, further emphasized Cicero’s skills, stating, “Joe turns strategy into repeatable execution—the discipline that moves a partnership from ad hoc wins to a predictable, partner-led growth engine. He established an SRA motion that prioritizes security, aligning tightly with Microsoft’s core objectives.”

The entire list of finalists for the CRN Best of the Channel Award can be accessed online at the CRN website.

About Security Risk Advisors

Security Risk Advisors is recognized as a leading cybersecurity consulting firm, committed to delivering innovative solutions that enhance organizations’ security postures. With a focus on Purple Team exercises, threat resilience, and detection engineering, SRA empowers teams to stay ahead of the ever-evolving landscape of cyber threats.

About The Channel Company

The Channel Company is celebrated for driving growth across strategic channels for the world’s top technology brands. Through its premier media brands, integrated marketing and event services, and strategic consulting, TCC accelerates success for tech vendors, solution providers, and end-users alike. TCC operates under the auspices of investment funds managed by EagleTree Capital, a New York City-based private equity firm.

For additional information about The Channel Company, visit their website.

This revised piece not only maintains the original news context but expands upon the key figures and points, enhancing the overall narrative.

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