CRN Channel Women in Security

The Power of Soft-Skills in Cybersecurity

Episode Summary

What do a newsroom, a nuclear plant, and the cybersecurity channel have in common? Addie Finch. Her journey proves that soft skills can build hard careers, and that curiosity might just be your most powerful credential in tech.

Episode Notes

Cass Cooper sits down with Addie Finch, Vice President of Channels at Cato Networks, to explore her inspiring career path from broadcast journalism to cybersecurity leadership.

Addie shares how storytelling and curiosity helped her break into tech and how those same skills now drive her success leading channel partners across the Americas. Together, Cass and Addie unpack how the cybersecurity landscape is shifting from point solutions to platform models and why future-proofing is no longer optional for today’s channel leaders.

This episode dives into:

• The power of transferable skills when moving into tech
• Why soft skills and curiosity often matter more than certifications
• How to lead and communicate across generational divides in the IT channel
• The rise of SASE (Secure Access Service Edge) and why platform thinking is key to growth
• How Cato Networks’ partner-first philosophy is reshaping cybersecurity
• If you’ve ever wondered how to pivot into cybersecurity, lead through transformation, or thrive in an AI-driven future, this conversation is for you.

Books Mentioned

StrengthsFinder 2.0 by Tom Rath
You, Inc.: The Art of Selling Yourself by Harry Beckwith and Christine K. Clifford