Derek Watkins, Director of Product Management at LogRhythm

Derek Watkins

Director, Product Management

My Role 

At LogRhythm, I lead an incredible team of product managers for our existing product line of SIEM, NDR, and UEBA. We are problem solvers who obsess over delivering value to our customers so that they can better defend their digital domain. My job is to make sure we never lose sight of this mission, and inspire my team to deliver solutions with passion and spirit of innovation. 

My Story 

I began my career in cybersecurity twenty years ago in the U.S. Air Force. I completed my Master’s Degree in cybersecurity during my tenure and moved into defense contracting once I finished my enlistment. I cut my teeth as a practitioner in the U.S. DoD for over a decade and held a variety of roles focusing on network and endpoint security, digital forensics, vulnerability assessment, and cyber threat intelligence.   

After a long run in the public sector, I made the transition into the vendor world as a Pre-Sales Engineer for McAfee. I covered all customers and products for the Federal team in the Asia-Pacific region, including Hawaii, Japan, Korea, Guam, and Alaska. I ultimately landed in product management as a member of the platform team covering McAfee’s flagship management console, ePolicy Orchestrator, along with Threat Intelligence Exchange, as well as the IPS product line. I moved into the Director of Product Management role here at LogRhythm just over one year ago.  

When I’m not in “work mode,” I love spending time outdoors with my family and soaking up that warm Hawaiian sunshine. I also love collecting vinyl, playing my guitars, and listening to as much punk and indie rock music as humanly possible.  

My Philosophy 

I’m a firm believer that a “can-do” spirit, combined with humility, grit, and a servant’s heart is a set of traits that will never let you down in life, personally or professionally. It doesn’t mean that hardship, failures, or hang-ups won’t happen, but you’ll be prepared to push through and persevere.  

My Qualifications 

M.S. in Cyber Security, Capitol Technology University 

Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP)