Meet James Ticehurst, a Cybersecurity Pre Sales Specialist at Dicker Data. James has been part of the Dicker Data family for nearly five years. His journey began in our services team before transitioning into software, a move that aligned perfectly with his long-standing fascination with technology.
“I was really fascinated by hacking, when my high school put content moderation on our laptops, I wanted to get around it. After that, I studied further and eventually landed a grad program with Trend Micro. That’s where I met my current boss who encouraged me to give Dicker Data a shot.”
With a background in IT, networking and cybersecurity, James quickly became a go-to expert for partners navigating complex tech challenges. His approach is grounded in problem-solving and delivering real outcomes.
“Technology can be really complex, and often it takes someone to communicate what it, what it does, and how it’s doing it. From a sales perspective, it’s all about delivering outcomes. We often hear from solution architects or customer partners who come to us with a specific challenge. Our job is to figure out how to solve it, jump in, say ‘yes, we can help,’ and show them how we’ll do it. We make sure everything works for them and keep the process as simple and seamless as possible.”
To help break down his role, we asked James to outline the key responsibilities that shape his day-to-day work.
“It really starts with knowing the tech, that’s a big part of it. A lot of what I do involves running demos, some of which are customer-facing, but many are with vendors, especially around MSP programs. I walk them through the software, show it in action, answer any questions and even jump into their environments to help where needed. I also provide general support.”
One of James’ standout achievements has been his involvement in developing the Dicker Data Check Point MSSP program. This initiative was designed with partners in mind, offering a flexible, usage-based model tailored to MSPs.
“We had to build out the program from scratch, which meant creating a lot of documentation around onboarding, developing sales materials and outlining a clear process. We introduced stages and tried to automate as much as possible. Each customer brought something unique, but the focus was really on building solid frameworks.”
James believes that what truly sets Dicker Data apart is our commitment to partner success. It’s not just about providing solutions, it’s about building relationships and offering support that goes beyond expectations.
“What sets us apart, I think, is how personable we are. We spend a lot of time with each individual partner and offer a level of support that’s hard to match. The value we provide, whether it’s time spent on product, responsiveness, or hands-on help, is what partners really appreciate. Just today, I was sitting in with a partner for a monthly review, helping them troubleshoot issues in their system. It’s not quite consultancy, but honestly, it could be. That kind of support is what makes the difference.”
For those looking to follow a similar career path, James offers some practical advice: stay informed and get hands-on.
“I find that being passionate and staying up to date with tech news really helps. Being able to reference something your customers or partners might have heard about, like the recent ChatGPT leak, adds a layer of relevance and expertise to conversations. It shows you’re across what’s happening.”
Outside of work, James is just as dynamic. He owns two motorbikes and enjoys riding as a hobby. His athletic side shines through in his cheerleading with the Sydney All Stars, where he’s gearing up for nationals on the Gold Coast.
“I was a gymnast all through high school, and I wanted to keep that going at uni, but not many universities have a gymnastics program. A lot of them do have cheerleading, though, so I got into that and now I cheer with Sydney All Stars, a club based in Alexandria. It’s cool. We’re in competition season now and we travel a bit, heading up to the Gold Coast at the end of the year for nationals.”
Looking ahead, James has his sights set on a meaningful professional goal: co-authoring a white paper that explores the intersection of cybersecurity, government policy and privacy rights.
“I think it would be an interesting project. A white paper is essentially an advisory document aimed at influencing government policy, ideally at the federal level. It outlines why certain laws need to change and backs that up with professional insights and recommendations.”
Whether he’s solving cybersecurity challenges, riding one of his motorbikes, or flipping through the air with Sydney All Stars, James brings energy, precision, and passion to everything he does, making him a true asset to Dicker Data and our partners.
Get to know more of our team members here!