Kevin Cross

Energizer
DISC Type : I

SVP, CISO at Dell Technologies

Leander, Texas, United States

Overview

Kevin Cross is the Senior Vice President and CISO at Dell Technologies, leading the Security and Resiliency Organization. With extensive experience in threat intelligence and incident response from previous roles, including at Sony, he champions viewing cybersecurity as a core business function. He holds a degree from the University of Maryland.

Described as level-headed and pragmatic, Kevin believes honesty, integrity, and communication are essential leadership traits for building trust. He is a strong advocate for hiring diverse talent from non-traditional backgrounds, drawing from his own unique career journey. He emphasizes relationship management and collaboration as keys to success.

Unique fact: Kevin began his career path with a degree in kinesiology and physical therapy before transitioning into cybersecurity.

Personality Overview

Relationship Oriented

Enthusiastic

Imaginative

They excel at seeing the bigger picture, and the long-term impact of their decisions.  They are people oriented, friendly and like creating new connections. They are not always early adopters but can be pursuaded by leveraging strong relationships.

Topics They Care About

Business-led Security
He states that security leaders should operate as business leaders who speak in business terms and demonstrate value, rather than acting as a blocker.
Diverse Talent Pipelines
Uses his own non-traditional background (kinesiology degree) to advocate for hiring candidates with the right aptitude, not just specific formal requirements.
Security Automation
Argues for leveraging automation and technology to manage the expanding threat landscape, as companies "can't keep throwing bodies at the problem. "

Media Appearances

Kevin has no verified media appearances

Work History

4-2021
SVP, CISO at Dell Technologies
5-2020 - 4-2021
Vice President, CISO at Dell Technologies
9-2018 - 5-2020
Vice President, Cyber Security at Dell Technologies
11-2017 - 9-2018
Vice President, Deputy Chief Information Security Officer at Sony
3-2017 - 10-2017
Vice President, Cyber Defense at Sony

Education

1995 - 1997
Bachelor's degree from University of Maryland
1998 - 1999
Physical Therapy/Therapist from University of Maryland, Baltimore Graduate School

More Information

Social Presence :

Prographics :

Exp : 23 Location : Leander, Texas, United States Job Level : Leadership Designation : SVP, CISO at Dell Technologies
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Insights For Selling To Kevin

During A Call Or A Meeting

DO's

  • Invite them for a lunch or a drink/coffee
  • Share some stories about how you you have helped people in similar positions succeed
  • Talk about their team and how your product will help them do things better and easier

DONT's

  • Don’t be excessively objective, be a storyteller
  • Avoid cutting into their flow
  • Don’t push them to make a decision too fast, let them get comfortable first

When Cold Calling

When Writing An Email

While Negotiating & Closing

    The secret to closing fast with Kevin is

  • Relationship and trust can be vital with them, sometimes more than anything else.
  • Will you ever get a clear answer from Kevin

  • They are unlikely to say no directly, you have to make that decision yourself.

Insights For Deal Planning

    How fast (or slow) will Kevin move?

  • They are not the fastest decision makers, their friendly approach can give false positive signals.
  • Can Kevin take some risk or not?

  • They can accept limited risks, ones that they think will not impact them personally.

You And Kevin

Personality Compatibility


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