‘Whether it’s through our partner programs, our platform or the support we offer, we’re committed to making Cynet the best partner they can have in the fight against cyber threats,’ says new Cynet CEO Jason Magee.
All-in-one cybersecurity platform Cynet has tapped Jason Magee to head the company amid a period of rapid growth and innovation.
Magee, who previously served as CEO of Tampa, Fla.-based ITSM vendor ConnectWise from 2019 to 2024, takes over from Cynet founder Eyal Gruner who will transition to the role of strategic advisor and join the company’s board of directors.
“We have a solid foundation, so it’s about continuing to do what’s been working, while expanding,” Magee told CRN. “That means scaling our go-to-market efforts both marketing and sales. We’ll be investing in our partner programs and strengthening our relationships with resellers and MSPs.”
Under Gruner’s leadership, Cynet evolved from a startup into a recognized leader in cybersecurity, doubling its annual recurring revenue in 2024. Magee’s appointment comes as Boston-based Cynet enters a new chapter of growth.
“It has been an incredible honor to lead Cynet and challenge the cybersecurity landscape with our all-in-one cybersecurity platform,” Gruner said in a statement. “As we scale globally, I’m confident Jason is the right leader to guide Cynet forward. Like all of us, he believes cybersecurity should be intuitive, accessible and affordable. Jason is a transformative leader who will drive success for Cynet and our partners and customers worldwide.”
Magee, who assumed the CEO position on Monday, brings more than two decades of experience in scaling businesses, driving strategic growth and developing robust partner ecosystems. During his tenure as CEO of ConnectWise, he led the company through a period of exponential growth, expanding its cybersecurity offerings, growing ARR by 300 percent, and increasing profitability by more than 500 percent.
“As we scale Cynet, I’ll be drawing on my experience of navigating the challenges that come with growth, whether it’s crossing the $50 million or $100 million mark,” he said. “It’s important to have a clear vision at each milestone and the right processes in place. My experience will help ensure that we grow efficiently and successfully as we continue to scale Cynet.”
Cynet currently has about 220 employees and hundreds of partners worldwide, with 35 percent of its revenue coming from U.S.-based partners and 65 percent from Europe, Middle East and Africa-based partners. Magee plans on expanding the team to grow its partner base stateside.
“We’re making investments in leadership roles here, particularly in sales, marketing and go-to-market strategies,” he said. “By putting more focus on North America, we can better support existing MSPs and build stronger relationships with new partners.”
Magee and Gruner will work closely together to ensure a smooth transition and maintain continuity for Cynet’s partners and customers, according to Cynet.
CRN spoke with Magee about this appointment, his strategy to scale the company and how Cynet stands out among other cybersecurity competitors.
What attracted you to Cynet?
There were several key factors. First, I’ve been passionate about platforms for a long time and Cynet offers exactly that—a robust all-in-one cybersecurity platform. I also wanted to find a company with a strong foundation in either cybersecurity or AI automation, and Cynet had both. After speaking with the investors and Eyal, the former CEO, it became clear that Cynet not only had a great product, but it also had strong customer sentiment. It’s got multiple routes to market, including small-to-medium businesses and MSPs. When I saw the opportunity to step into a company with such a strong 2024 and such a high potential for growth, it was an easy decision.
With such a strong 2024 performance, how do you plan to build on these accomplishments?
The short answer is scale and accelerate. We have a solid foundation, so it’s about continuing to do what’s been working while expanding. That means scaling our go-to-market efforts both in marketing and in sales. We’ll be investing in our partner programs and strengthening our relationships with resellers and MSPs. Our product will continue to evolve, but we’ll also focus on ensuring that customers see more value in what we offer. It’s about driving growth, expanding our reach and further differentiating ourselves in the market.
What key lessons from your time as CEO of ConnectWise do you plan to bring to Cynet?
I was at ConnectWise for over 13 years, so I’ve had a front-row seat to the growth journey, what works and what doesn’t. As we scale Cynet, I’ll be drawing on my experience of navigating the challenges that come with growth, whether it’s crossing the $50 million or $100 million mark. It’s important to have a clear vision at each milestone and the right processes in place. My experience will help ensure that we grow efficiently and successfully as we continue to scale Cynet.
How do you balance continuity with innovation during this leadership transition?
The good news is, Cynet is in a great place. Eyal will still be actively involved as a board member, so there will be continuity in the strategic vision. He and I have already developed a strong relationship and we’ll work closely together to make sure the transition is smooth. At the same time, I’ll be focused on innovating and finding new ways to expand our product, market presence and go-to-market strategies. We’ll keep doing what’s working and add new layers where necessary.
What are your first priorities as the new CEO?
My first task is to assess the current state of the organization, looking at our structure and ensuring that we have the right people, processes and technology in place to scale. We need to ensure that our all-in-one platform continues to evolve to meet the needs of small and medium-sized enterprises. I also plan to grow the Cynet brand and position it as a larger player in the ecosystem. Beyond that, we’ll be focusing on accelerating growth, both in terms of revenue and customer acquisition, over the next 12, 24 and 36 months.
What do you see as the biggest cybersecurity challenge facing organizations today, and how do you plan to address it?
One of the biggest challenges today is the sheer number of cybersecurity tools that organizations use, and the fact that they don’t always integrate well. Threat actors are becoming more sophisticated and using disparate point solutions can leave organizations at a disadvantage. This is where Cynet’s all-in-one platform really stands out. We’re investing in making sure our platform is easy to use, integrated and effective at protecting businesses from a wide range of threats. Automation is also key. Threat actors are using automation to accelerate their attacks and we need to do the same to stay ahead of them.
How does Cynet’s platform differ from other cybersecurity providers?
What sets Cynet apart is our true all-in-one platform, which goes deeper and broader than others in the space. We recently achieved 100 percent protection and visibility on the MITRE ATT&CK evaluation, something no other vendor has accomplished without configuration changes. Our platform is also incredibly easy to use, with strong automation capabilities to help partners and customers respond to threats more quickly. It’s designed to protect businesses without overwhelming them with complexity.
What are your goals for Cynet over the next 12 months?
We want to maintain our leadership in the cybersecurity space, continuing to top evaluations like MITRE while exploring other third-party assessments. We’ll also look to expand our footprint both in North America and globally, making sure our platform remains at the cutting edge. Our goal is to remain a trusted, best-in-class provider while growing our customer base and increasing our impact in the market.
What steps will you take to scale Cynet’s business and continue innovating?
Scaling is about both depth and breadth. We’ll continue to refine our product, expanding where necessary and diving deeper into key areas. The integration of our platform is key—keeping it seamless, effective and easy for customers to adopt. We’ll also focus on strengthening our relationships with partners and growing our partner ecosystem, both in the U.S. and internationally. We’re committed to staying ahead of the curve by anticipating customer needs and evolving with the threat landscape.
Cynet has a significant global presence. How do you plan to strengthen the U.S. market, particularly through MSPs?
A big part of that is focusing on building out our U.S.-based team. We’re making investments in leadership roles here, particularly in sales, marketing and go-to-market strategies. By putting more focus on North America, we can better support existing MSPs and build stronger relationships with new partners. While Cynet has a strong presence internationally, expanding our footprint in the U.S. will be a key priority moving forward.
How will you cultivate a culture of innovation and performance at Cynet?
A culture of innovation starts with the customer. We have to listen to their needs, understand their pain points and ensure that our product roadmap addresses those areas. Beyond that, a culture of performance isn’t just about sales, it’s about supporting our partners and helping them win in their business. It’s about making sure that we’re continuously improving and meeting our customers’ expectations. That mindset will be central to everything we do at Cynet.
What’s next for Cynet, and what message do you have for MSPs about the company’s future under your leadership?
Stay tuned. We have a lot of exciting developments ahead, especially as we continue to innovate and grow our presence. For MSPs, it’s about making sure we’re helping them stay ahead of the threats, grow their businesses and succeed. Whether it’s through our partner programs, our platform or the support we offer, we’re committed to making Cynet the best partner they can have in the fight against cyber threats.
