Sophos CEO Kris Hagerman Steps Down; Joe Levy Assumes Role as Acting CEO

Kris Hagerman, CEO of cybersecurity giant Sophos, has resigned from his position after over a decade at the helm, the company announced on Thursday. Hagerman’s departure, effective immediately, sees Sophos President Joe Levy stepping in as acting CEO alongside his current responsibilities. While Sophos did not provide a specific reason for Hagerman’s sudden exit, he will continue to serve as an advisor to the company until April 1.

A former executive at Symantec, Hagerman assumed the role of Sophos CEO in late 2012, guiding the company through its initial 2015 public offering in London and overseeing a substantial revenue increase exceeding $1 billion. He also orchestrated Sophos’s transition to private ownership through a sale to private equity firm Thoma Bravo for $3.9 billion in 2020.

In an interview, Levy underscored the growing demand for managed detection and response (MDR) services amid a global shortage of cybersecurity talent, affirming Sophos’s commitment to delivering security solutions through a service model. He anticipates services to become the primary consumption model for cybersecurity in the industry over time.

Levy, who boasts over two decades of experience in cybersecurity, including roles at SonicWall and Blue Coat Systems, joined Sophos in 2015. He was promoted to president of the Sophos Technology Group in April 2023, in addition to serving as the company’s CTO and chief product officer.

In a statement, Hagerman expressed confidence in Levy’s ability to lead Sophos into the future, praising him for his dedication and vision. Hagerman affirmed his pride in the team’s achievements in positioning Sophos as a leader in next-generation cybersecurity.

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