Optiv Security's Cloud VP Leaves For Privileged Account Management Startup

Optiv Security has lost one of its top executives, as its Vice President of Cloud Security and Strategy JD Sherry left the security solution provider this month to take a position at privileged account management startup Remediant.

Sherry will now serve as chief revenue officer at Remediant, which offers a platform called SecureOne for visibility, just-in-time administration, and enforcement around privileged accounts. Sherry announced his transition on his LinkedIn profile.

Sherry confirmed his departure from Optiv and new position with CRN. He said he had been advising Remediant for the past 14 months and saw an opportunity to add value by joining the team. He said Remediant has already seen "good traction" with large customers, including Lockheed Martin.

[Related: Private Equity Power Play: Why Solution Providers Are The Next Big Bet]

"I'm excited about this new chapter. I'm back to startup land, where I feel like I belong," Sherry said. "It was a good run at Optiv and I felt like things were where they needed to be."

Optiv did not respond to requests for comment from CRN on Sherry's departure and if there is a replacement for leading the company's cloud security business.

Sherry joins a company that is looking to take advantage of a fast-growing market in security for privileged account management, as many of the most notable breaches in recent months involved some form of privilege abuse. The technology helps companies identify, secure, manage and monitor those privileged accounts. Sherry said he believes Remediant offers a differentiated solution in this market, one that requires less professional services and is easily scalable, both common complaints of PAM solutions.

"I really believe in the platform. I believe in the team and certainly believe in the market that this is a major problem for folks," Sherry said.

Sherry said he will be looking to bring his channel roots from Optiv to his new role at Remediant. As chief revenue officer, Sherry said he is responsible for sales, marketing, channels and alliances, among other things. He said he intends to make the channel a major part of Remediant's go to market strategy.

"I know how important the channel is to manufacturers. I'm a strong supporter of the channel, having worked at one of the larger partners in the planet. I still have a strong commitment [to the channel]," Sherry said.

Sherry joined Optiv in February 2016, as part of the Denver, Colo.-based company's push to add executives around different vertical and technically specialized practices. He joined Optiv from security startup Cavirin, where he was CEO.

Optiv overall has seen some major transitions in recent months. Most notably, the company was acquired by private equity firm KKR & Co., a deal that closed in February. The $2 billion solution provider was formed in 2015 through the merger of Accuvant and FishNet Security, and has added to its portfolio through acquisition, including that of identity and access management company Advancive in April; third-party risk application company Evantix in May; and New England security solution provider Adaptive Communications in June.