CEO Insights Magazine

In June 2024, Kadokawa Corporation and its video platform Niconico suffered a major cyberattack orchestrated by the Russia-linked ransomware group BlackSuit. Spanning nearly two months, the attack compromised data from over 254,000 users, leading to a stock drop of over 20 percent. This is not an isolated incident. According to IBM's 2025 X-Force Threat Intelligence Index, the APAC region experienced the most attacks in 2024, accounting for 34 percent of all global incidents investigated. As cyber threats become more sophisticated and frequent, investing in cybersecurity that goes beyond conventional responses is not just a technical necessity, it’s a strategic priority. Democratizing world-class cyber defense solutions for the dynamic corporate realm increasingly powered by AI through proactive measures, constant monitoring, and creating awareness is Tsuyoshi Kitagawa, Vice President & Country Manager (Japan), SONICWALL, which is a unified, intelligent platform that makes it easier than ever for MSPs and partners to secure their customers' digital worlds.

Kitagawa has nearly three decades of versatile experience in the technological industry, especially in cybersecurity, working with repudiate MNCs like Ivanti, EMC2, Dell, ServiceNow, etc. Kitagawa joins us for an exclusive interaction.

How are you driving growth, innovation, and cybersecurity resilience while empowering your partners and customers?

Cybersecurity is a fast-moving field, where both attackers and defenders, like us, must constantly evolve. It is essential for us to adopt an outside-in strategy, by actively listening to our partners and customers to understand their real-world challenges. This feedback helps our corporate and product strategies, ensuring our solutions are aligned with actual needs on the ground.

For example, in Japan alone, there are over 4.2 million companies. It's impossible to reach and secure them all without deep collaboration. We work closely with our partners to build tailored defense strategies that help secure even the smallest or less-visible organizations. This collaborative, customer-driven approach is how we stay relevant, drive innovation, and enhance resilience in a rapidly changing cybersecurity landscape.

How do you keep yourself up-to-date with ongoing industry trends?

Staying up-to-date with the cybersecurity industry is essential due to its highly dynamic nature. With attackers constantly evolving, defenders like us must remain vigilant and adaptable. I actively engage in self-directed research and regularly connect with peers, not just within my current organization but also through my broader professional network, including former colleagues.

In addition to formal training and external resources, I value continuous communication with our ecosystem, including partners, customers, and industry contacts. These interactions provide real-time insights that are often more valuable than static data. Staying current is not a one-time effort, it is an ongoing, continuous process to which I am fully committed.

What are the guidelines or methodologies you follow as a leader?

I value three key qualities in professionals, namely hunger, humility, and teamwork. The most effective individuals are those who balance ambition with openness. ‘Hungry’professionals set goals and drive progress, while ‘humble’ones stay grounded, open to feedback, and eager to learn. I believe growth comes from taking risks, learning from failure, and valuing progress over perfection. I encourage my team to embrace challenges and support one another throughout the journey. In over 20 years in the industry, I’ve seen that strong teams are built on mutual trust and commitment. When someone needs help, others should step in without hesitation. This spirit of support and collaboration is at the heart of great leadership. Together, these qualities not only foster personal and professional development but also drive meaningful results across the organization.

What is the future destination you are heading towards?

I’m truly passionate about the cybersecurity industry. It is a space full of potential where we can shape the future through technology and by building a broader ecosystem that includes our partners, which motivates me. I see myself continuing in this field for at least the next five years, contributing as an individual as well as helping strengthen the entire cybersecurity landscape, as my interest in security is deeply rooted. For me, cybersecurity isn’t just about protecting IT systems, it's about supporting companies, their employees, and even their families. It’s a way of contributing to society at large. I’m very excited about my current role at SONICWALL. My vision over the next five years is to help make SONICWALL stronger than ever and establish it as a true industry leader.

What piece of advice would you give to aspiring leaders in the field?

I believe that having a clear dream or vision through your work is essential, as it provides direction and helps drive the next steps in your journey. Understanding the “why” behind what we do is very important, as it shapes our actions today and influences where we will be in the future. I often reflect on what I have achieved over the past year and where I want to be in the next three to five years, as it helps me guide both my personal and professional growth. It’s about intentional planning, considering what to start, stop, or continue doing. As the saying goes, “Opportunity comes to those who are prepared”, and I believe that’s especially true for future leaders. Being ready and motivated is what ultimately opens the door to success.

Tsuyoshi Kitagawa, Vice President & Country Manager, SONICWALL

With nearly decades of versatile experience in the technological industry, Tsuyoshi leads SONICWALL as the Country Manager of Japan.

Hobbies: Swimming, scuba diving, puddling, and golf

Favorite Cuisine: Japanese

Favorite Book: Dale Carnegie's books

Favorite Travel Destination: Okinawa Island