Amit Yoran, CEO and Chairman of Tenable
H/O is defensible
Amit Yoran, who heralded the cybersecurity company Defensible In the public market as CEO, he died on Friday. He was 54 years old.
Tenable confirmed Joran's death in a news release on Saturday. While the company said his death was unexpected, Joran went on medical leave early last month as he battled cancer.
The company said on Saturday that details of the funeral had not yet been announced.
Joran took the helm of Tenable in 2016, his most recent leadership role in cybersecurity. He previously served as president of RSA Security from 2014 to 2016. Göran founded NetWitness and led it as CEO between 2006 and 2011 before it was acquired by RSA, according to his LinkedIn page.
His decades-long career in cybersecurity also included government and non-profit work. Joran served as the National Cybersecurity Director at the U.S. Department of Homeland Security from 2003 to 2004. He has been a member of the Center for Internet Security's board of directors since 2019.
Two years after Joran took office, Tenable's stock went public on the Nasdaq stock exchange. At the time, the IPO was seen as a success story for Wall Street cybersecurity companies.
Yoran described the company's focus on enterprise technology pain points as unique in the market, while also noting its successful shift to a subscription model. By 2018, more than half of the Fortune 500 companies were retainable clients, Yoran said.
“We have become one of the most trusted and beloved brands in cybersecurity,” he told CNBC at the time of Tenable's IPO. “Only the best and highest performing private companies have the opportunity to go public. This gives us a place on a much bigger stage to be able to tell our story.”
Tenable's CFO Steve Vintz and Chief Operating Officer Mark Thurmond have served as co-CEOs since Yoran went on medical leave in December. The company said they will continue to share the role while its board searches for a permanent successor.
Joran expected his leave to last only a few months, and said his condition was a “treatable condition,” according to a memo to staff posted on his LinkedIn page. He had “full confidence” in Wentz and Thurmond to lead the company in his absence.
“We have a lot to do and no time to waste,” Göran wrote. “While I take a brief pause to prioritize my health, I will stay connected as much as possible while giving myself the space to fully heal. I am so grateful to each and every one of you, not only for the dedication you bring to your work but also the sense of community we have built together.”
Joran was also Chairman of Tenable's Board of Directors, a position that will now be held by Art Coviello, the company's lead independent director. In a statement, Coviello described Joran as an “exceptional” leader, colleague and friend.
“His passion for cybersecurity, strategic vision, and ability to inspire those around him have shaped Tenable’s culture and mission,” Coviello said. “His legacy will continue to guide us as we move forward.”
