Evelyn Rhoda
Johannesburg
Summary
Cybersecurity professional with robust experience in safeguarding networks and systems. Skilled in threat detection, risk assessment, and implementing security protocols. Strong focus on team collaboration and achieving results, adaptable to changing needs. Known for reliability, analytical thinking, and excellent communication in high-stakes environments.
Overview
17
17
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Cybersecurity Specialist
Cisco
03.2020 - Current
- Maintained up-to-date knowledge of emerging threats, providing proactive solutions for potential vulnerabilities and malicious activity to end users and sellers.
- Contributed to policy development on information security, privacy, and acceptable use of technology resources to multiple end users in an advisory role.
- Contributed to enhanced security posture by implementing advanced threat prevention, mitigation and remediation tools
- Advised executive leadership on current threat landscapes, providing strategic guidance on improving overall cybersecurity posture and digital resilience strategies.
- Optimized security infrastructure by evaluating, recommending, and implementing appropriate hardware and software upgrades.
- Designed effective business continuity plans that ensured minimal downtime during security incidents or disasters.
- Cultivated strategic relationships with key industry influencers to amplify brand visibility.
- Conducted detailed competitor analysis to inform strategic positioning and pricing.
- Led negotiations for high-value contracts to secure long-term business partnerships.
- Boosted regional sales figures, leading targeted marketing campaigns.
- Streamlined proposal development process for improved efficiency, resulting in faster responses to RFPs.
- Delivered impactful training sessions for sales personnel, enhancing their understanding of product features and benefits.
- Assisted in closing deals by addressing customer objections and demonstrating the value of proposed solutions.
- Conducted thorough competitor analyses to identify potential opportunities for differentiation within the market landscape.
- Supported sales team success by delivering technical expertise during client meetings and presentations.
- Delivered technical presentations matching audience level of expertise to explain products and services to customers.
Sales Lead for SADC: Public Sector and ENR
Check Point Software Technologies South Africa
05.2015 - 02.2020
- At the time of resignation, I was the sales lead with a team of 5 and directly responsible for approximately 40% of the Southern Africa territory.
- Initially had shared responsibility on FSI and Telco - but then focused on Strategic Enterprise, (top 20 accounts\PS and EMG)
- As Major account manager I had been one of the top individual contributors across multiple industries and specific regional focus on coastal.
- In addition to named accounts I was also responsible for new business development and maintaining, upselling and growing the existing install base using both sell to (direct touch) and sell through (channel) methodologies
- Exceeded sales targets consistently through proactive prospecting, relationship-building, and closing deals.
- Boosted sales performance by implementing strategic sales plans and effective team management.
- Established strong rapport with clients through active listening techniques, understanding their unique needs and proposing tailored solutions.
- Streamlined sales processes to improve efficiency, applying advanced CRM tools.
- Cultivated strategic relationships with key industry influencers to amplify brand visibility.
- Conducted detailed competitor analysis to inform strategic positioning and pricing.
- Led negotiations for high-value contracts to secure long-term business partnerships.
- Boosted regional sales figures, leading targeted marketing campaigns.
Key Account Manager
Alton Cyber Security (Altech Card Solutions)
07.2012 - 04.2015
- My role was intended development and customer retention across multiple sectors
- Built and maintained strong client relationships to drive business growth.
- Strengthened client relationships through regular communication and effective problem solving.
- Created sales forecasts to target daily, monthly and yearly objectives.
Key Account Manager: Strategic accounts
Liquid Telecoms (Neotel)
08.2010 - 06.2012
- Business acquisition and retention in named enterprise accounts with special focus on Broadcasting and signal contribution/distribution solutions
- Pipeline generation and account review activities in pursuit of new business or up-selling opportunities
- New contract process management with service delivery team from feasibility to sign off
- Management of all tender responses & proposals
- Conducted regular account reviews with clients to assess performance, identify areas for improvement, and strategize future growth opportunities.
Senior Account manager
DataCentrix (Pty) Ltd
11.2007 - 07.2010
- As an account Manager within the Government\Public Sector BU, my focus included offerings from the following 3 focus areas: Infrastructure, Managed Services and Business Solutions
- My responsibilities included identifying and qualifying opportunities throughout these areas and driving the sales process from presentation to proposal\tender process and co-ordinating the project on successful conclusion of the sales cycle
- My Infrastructure knowledge base extended to Data Centre Solutions (HP and IBM), Networking (HP, Cisco, Enterasys), Enterprise Systems Management (ESM), Software Infrastructure Services (MS Licensing and Services), Security Solutions and end user computing (high volume products)
Skills
- Strategic relationships
- Technical documentation
- Security policy development
- Incident response
- Threat intelligence analysis
- Solution Sales
- Sales Process Management
- Contract negotiation
- Execution Plans
Accolades and Sales Awards
- Award of Excellence, EMEA (Check Point), 12/2016
- 100% achievers, 12/2017
- Regional Excellence Award, 12/2018
- Regional Excellence Award, 12/2019
- Attained 284% 2020
- 2022 Achievers club
- 2023 Champions Club
Affiliations
- WiCys - Women in CyberSecurity
Certification
- Certified Information Security Manager (CISM) - ISACA. ( in progress)
- Certified Cloud Security Professional (CCSP) - International Information System Security Certification Consortium (ISC)².
- Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP) - International Information System Security Certification Consortium (ISC)².
Timeline
Cybersecurity Specialist
Cisco
03.2020 - Current
Sales Lead for SADC: Public Sector and ENR
Check Point Software Technologies South Africa
05.2015 - 02.2020
Key Account Manager
Alton Cyber Security (Altech Card Solutions)
07.2012 - 04.2015
Key Account Manager: Strategic accounts
Liquid Telecoms (Neotel)
08.2010 - 06.2012
Senior Account manager
DataCentrix (Pty) Ltd
11.2007 - 07.2010
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