The security and channel veteran is joining Extreme Networks to help the company remain a leader as it works to drive a deeper connection between networking, security and AI.

Networking specialist Extreme Networks has brought on David Nuti to lead the company’s security sales at a time when the convergence between networking and security has arguably never been more crucial.

Nuti, who will serve as head of security sales, is filling a new role for Extreme as the company acknowledges climbing demand for networking AI-enhanced security products.

Longtime security and channel executive Nuti is being tasked with pushing forward Extreme’s cybersecurity revenue and will oversee the strategy and expansion of the company’s flagship Universal Zero Trust Network Access (UZTNA) solution, according to the Morrisville, N.C.-based company.

[Related: Extreme Networks’ C-Suite: ‘Some Have Lost Their Focus On Networking’]

Nuti has more than 20 years of experience in the security industry. Nuti comes to Extreme from secure access service edge (SASE) provider Exium, where he has served as chief business development officer since 2023. Prior to his time at Exium, Nuti served as senior vice president, North America for Nord Security. No stranger to the channel, Nuti also was head of channel and alliances, North America, for SASE firm Open Systems for three years and before that, served as vice president of business development for Aryaka Networks for more than five years.

“As Extreme drives the convergence of AI, networking and security across the industry, we continue to augment innovation with strong leadership and expertise … [Nuti] brings the gravitas and grit to help Extreme elevate its security leadership to the next level. He is one of many key pieces that will help Extreme continue to execute on our strategy while pushing the boundaries of innovation to help our customers drive more impactful business outcomes across their organizations,” Extreme’s President and CEO Ed Meyercord said in a statement.

Extreme comes to the market with several offerings that combine networking and security, including ExtremeCloud Universal Zero Trust Network Access (ZTNA), an offering that combines network, application and device security all within a single tool. The company said this offering, which was launched in 2023, was an industry-first as it integrated network, application and device access security into one offering, spanning from campus to branch.

In the company’s most recent fiscal quarter and 2024 year-end, Extreme posted revenue of $256.7 million, down 29 percent year-over-year. The company’s SaaS ARR was $167 million, up 29 percent year-over-year.