Cybersecurity executive and longtime entrepreneur Amit Yoran tragically died after an arduous battle with cancer on Friday, his company announced.
Before his death, Yoran, 54, served as the CEO and chairman of the worldwide cybersecurity company, Tenable, a cybersecurity company specializing in ‘exposure management’.
The company, based in Columbia, Maryland, announced its ‘visionary leader’s’ ‘unexpected’ passing in a press release on Saturday.
‘It is with profound sadness that Tenable Holdings, Inc. announces the passing of our Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Amit Yoran,’ the company wrote.
‘Amit passed away unexpectedly yesterday. He had been battling cancer.’
Yoran took a medical leave of absence starting on December 5, appointing CFO Steve Vintz and COO Mark Thurmond as co-CEOs.
The pair will continue to serve in those roles while the company searches for a permanent CEO, according to the release.
‘A visionary leader and a pioneer in the cybersecurity industry, Amit dedicated his life to making the digital world safer,’ the release continued.
Cybersecurity executive and longtime entrepreneur Amit Yoran tragically passed away after an arduous battle with cancer, the cybersecurity company he headed announced on Friday
The company, based in Columbia, Maryland, announced its ‘visionary leader’s’ passing in a press release on Saturday. Pictured: Tenable’s HQ in Columbia, Maryland
‘His unwavering commitment to innovation and relentless pursuit of excellence transformed Tenable into a global leader in exposure management.’
Before becoming Tenable’s CEO in 2016, Yoran held a number of high-profile roles across the tech industry.
Yoran served as the founding CEO of NetWitness, a CEO at In-Q-Tel and the president of RSA, an American company that provides management solutions for organizations to help secure and encrypt their digital resources.
The well-known tech professional was described as ‘an extraordinary leader, colleague, and friend,’ by Tenable’s lead independent director Art Coviello.
‘His passion for cybersecurity, his strategic vision, and his ability to inspire those around him have shaped Tenable’s culture and mission. His legacy will continue to guide us as we move forward,’ Coviello said.
‘Our thoughts are with Amit’s family during this difficult time. We extend our deepest condolences to his loved ones and express our gratitude for the remarkable legacy he leaves behind. Funeral arrangements have not been announced at this time,’ the Saturday statement concluded.
Yoran was a first-generation American born in the US in November 1970 to Israeli immigrants who arrived in the 1960s, according to Haaretz.
The tech mogul attended the United States Military Academy where he obtained a degree in computer science. He later received a master’s degree in computer security from George Washington University.
The 54-year-old also served as founding director of the United States Computer Emergency Readiness Team program in the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, his personal biography on Tenable’s website states.
Yoran served as the founding CEO of NetWitness, a CEO at In-Q-Tel and the president of RSA, an American company that provides management solutions for organizations to help secure and encrypt their digital resources
‘He is recognized as a security industry thought-leader and influencer, and is often sought out for industry events and in the media to provide expert commentary on his vision for cybersecurity’s future,’ the page reads.
Yoran is survived by his wife and three children.
Tenable is a cybersecurity company specializing in exposure management, primarily known for its vulnerability scanning software called Nessus.
Nessus is one of the most widely used vulnerability scanners in the industry as it helps companies to identify and prioritize cybersecurity risks across their digital assets, allowing them to understand and reduce their cyber exposure.
The sprawling cybersecurity company protects more than 44,000 customers worldwide, including 65 percent of the Fortune 500 and 50 percent of the Global 2000, according to its website.
